GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica) UNDER VARIOUS ENVIRON-MENTS OF LIGHT COLORS

Abstract

Light colors are important environmental factors affecting growth and reproductive performance of Japanese Quails. In the current study, a total number of 1060 of Japanese quail chicks were used to assess the effect of white, red, and green light color on body weight, age of sexual maturity, laying parameters as well as responses of reproductive organs. Results revealed that Japanese quails reared under red color light had higher (P<0.05) body weight at five weeks of age, relative growth rate (RGR), the first 42 days of egg production, relative ovaries and testicle weights, sperm motility and fertility and hatchability percentages (243.28 g, 184.50 %, 79.76 %, 4.33 %, 4.05 %, 90.50 %, 83.47 % and 83.47 %; respectively) than those raised under green and white light colors. Also, quails subjected to red color light during growth reached sexual maturity earlier (39.34 d) than birds subjected to white and green light colors (44.87 and 48.45 d). We conclude that using red light color during the period of growth and laying in Japanese quails improves growth and reproduction performances. Key words: Japanese quails; light colors; growth; reproduction performances