Genetic Correlation of exterior and interior Quality Characteristics in White Quail Egg

Abstract

This study was conducted in poultry field of the Department of Animal Production - College of Agriculture - Kirkuk University to study phenotype correlation of some interior and exterior specific egg characteristics of white Japanese quail. 60 white quails were used, distributed after sexual maturity to 30 families (male and female per family) placed in vertical battery cages and bred for 12 weeks. Eggs were collected 4 times during 4 periods (every 3 weeks) to evaluate the interior and exterior specific characteristics of the egg. The results of the statistical analysis indicated a positive and significant genetic correlation of egg weight with egg length, egg width, egg surface area and shell weight. Also, there was a significant correlation between egg width and egg shape index, while shell thickness did not show any genetic correlation among all the exterior characteristics of the egg. About the genetic correlations between interior egg quality, the results of the statistical analysis indicated that there was a positive and significant genetic correlation for Albumin high with Albumin index, Haugh unit, yolk height and yolk index, as well as indicated a positive and significant genetic correlation between albumin index and Haugh unit. As for yolk index, the results indicated no genetic correlation between it and yolk weight, yolk ratio and yolk to albumin ratio. As for the genetic correlations between interior and exterior characteristics of the egg, the results indicated no genetic correlation with egg shape index and interior egg characteristics, as well as between Albumin height and all the exterior egg characteristics, while a positive and significantly genetic correlation observed between yolk index and shell thickness. We conclude from this study that there are some genetic correlations between exterior and interior quality traits of the egg, which helps us to understanding the characteristics of specific egg to improve it and increase fertility.