Body weights, carcase characteristics, organ weights, abdominal fat, and lipid content of liver and carcase in two lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), unselected and selected for four week body weight

Abstract

1. The present study was conducted on quails to evaluate the effects of line and sex on body weight, carcase characteristics and organ weights and also to evaluate the effect of line on sex organs, and on carcase and liver lipid content of male quails.

2. Chicks of both sexes were weighed weekly until 6 weeks when they were slaughtered. Carcase yield, parts yield and measurement, weight of liver, heart, gizzard, abdominal fat and sex organs were obtained. Carcase and liver lipid content of male quails were determined.

3. Weights of body, carcase, breast, thigh, liver, heart, gizzard, abdominal fat, testes and ovary, yield of testes were affected by line. Line had no significant effect on the yields of carcase, breast, thigh, liver, heart, gizzard plus heart plus liver, abdominal fat and ovary. Carcase and liver lipid contents of male quails were affected by line.