Effect of age Japanece quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on the reproductive efficiency and performance of their progeny

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of breeder age in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on reproductive efficiency and progeny performance. Methodology: The study was conducted at the Poultry Experimental Unit of the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina using 2,000 fertile eggs from breeders grouped by age (11, 21, 30, and 44 weeks). A completely randomized design was applied with five replicates per group, using 100 eggs per experimental unit. Reproductive parameters (fertility, hatchability, birth rate, embryonic mortality) and productive parameters (feed intake and body weight of the progeny up to six weeks of age) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Results: Breeders aged 21 and 30 weeks showed higher fertility rates (98% and 97%), hatchability (86.6% and 79.9%), and birth rates (76.2% and 82.2%). Although feed intake showed no significant differences, progeny from 44-week-old breeders had higher final weights (81.43 g) compared to those from 21-week-old breeders (78.25 g). Conclusion: Optimal reproductive efficiency was observed in breeders aged 21 and 30 weeks; however, progeny from older breeders (44 weeks) exhibited better body weight. The highest economic return was obtained with 30-week-old breeders.