The Effects of Mating Ratio and Age on Fertility and Hatchability in Japanese Quail

Abstract

THE Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) has been described by Padgett and Ivey (1959) and Wilson et al. (1961) as a suitable pilot animal in avian research. It is presently used in many phases of research at experimental stations throughout the United States. One of the main problems has been to establish and maintain satisfactory reproduction of stock. The purposes of this study were to determine (1) the optimum mating ratio of male to female coturnix maintained in massmated groups, (2) the time of onset and the duration of fertility, and (3) the effect of age on fertility and hatchability. In addition, some general observations were made on mating behavior, with special reference to mating frequency (emphasis on aggressiveness) and preferential mating in mass-mated populations. All chicks used were from a randomly selected control population held at U. C. Davis (line 908). Chicks were brooded in a modified …