RESULTS OF TWO MORPHOLOGICAL PRACTICAL METHODS FOR SEX DETERMINATION IN JAPANESE QUAIL

Document Type : Research articles.

Authors

Poult. Prod. Dept. Fac. of Agric., Cairo Univ., Fayoum Branch.

Abstract

Shank length measurements of ≥35 mm for females and < 35
mm for males was used to predict sexes in Japanese quail at 10,
17, 24, 31, 38 and 45 days of age in 827 Japanese quail chicks.
Shank length between sexes was found to differ (P<0.01) as early
as 17 days of age and was maintained thereafter. The best
prediction of sexes was made at 24 days of age; the accuracy for
predicting females was higher than for males (96.1 vs. 95.9%).
This technique requires only a single shank measurement taken at
24 days of age and provides the breeder with a reliable way of
separating sexes for purposes of marketing and selection of
breeders at relatively earlier ages especially in white strains. There
was a second method of sex determination through plumage
dimorphism (feather sexing) with 95% accuracy at 24 days of age.
Therefore, either shank length or feather dimorphism would offer
valid methods for separating sexes of Japanese quail.


Keywords