Intensity of growth of the body, organs, muscles and bones in quails as affected by breed and gender
The diversity of quail breeds differing in live bodyweight, egg production rate, egg weight enables the comparative analysis of the effects of breed type on different traits. The effects of breed and gender on body growth and relative growth rates of different organs, muscles, and bones were comparatively studied in two quail breeds, Texas White (heavy meat-producing type) and Omskaya (universal breed). Texas White breed had body growth rate higher by 1.72-2.31% in compare to Omskaya; females of both breeds grew faster than males by 0.72-1.31%. Hierarchic cluster analysis evidenced that parenchymal organs and muscles could be divided into four clusters according to the relative growth rate (in % to bodyweight): very fast growing (198-200%), fast growing (188-194%), moderately growing (180-189%), and slow growing (159-168%). The affiliation of the organs to these clusters was affected by their functional load and by targeted selection of breeds according to the respective productivity type.