Effects of Different Selection Methods for Body Weight on Some Genetic Parameters in Japanese Quail

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on some genetic parameters of different selection methods for Body Weight (BW) in Japanese quail. For this aim, line M-55 was subjected to individual selection for 5 weeks BW while a reciprocal recurrent selection method was applied to lines R-33 and S-55 Selection lasted 2 generations. In individual lines, the percentage deviation of body weight was an average of 1.41, 1.73 and 2.19% in the 1st generation males, females and mixed sex, respectively. These parameters reached 5.57, 7.44 and 6.29% in the 2nd generation. In the reciprocal recurrent selection, heterosis of BW in the crossbred birds occurred in the positive direction and was 3.22 and 1.95% for R3S5 and S5R3, respectively in the 1st generation. In the 2nd generation, heterosis was calculated as 6.50 and 7.31% in R3S5 and S5R3, respectively, higher than the 1st generation. At the end of the 2 generations, R3S5 had higher heterosis than S5R3 BW increase was similar in the 2 selection methods. Heritability of BW in the individual lines was 0.27 and 0.73 in the 1st and 2nd generation, respectively. In the reciprocal selection, heritability of BW was estimated as 0.37 and 0.19 in the 1st generation and 0.17 and 0.27 in the 2nd generation for R3S5 and S5R3, respectively. As a result, at the end of the 2 generations of selection, an improvement in BW increase was obtained in both selection methods. If selection is continued in these lines, this may be important especially with regards BW.