SEXUAL DIMORPHISM ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica) REARED IN DERIVED SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA

This study was conducted to determine the sexual dimorphism on carcass characteristics of Japanese quail (Coturnix courtnix japanica). A total of 180 quail chicks were used in the study; comprises 90 males and 90 female birds. The quail were kept on separate floor system and were feed ad libitum. Data were obtained on live weight, body weight, Drumstick weight, thigh weight, shank weight, breast weight, back weight and as well as inedible giblets such as heart weight, gizzard weight, liver weight and offal weight on both sexes of the birds. It was determined that there were significant (P < 0.05) difference between the carcass component and the sex of the birds. The female quail had higher significant values for live weight (139.43g), body weight (133.93g), thigh weight (11.40g) and shank weight (2.68g) than its counterparts male quail of 128.5g, 122.13g 10.55g and 2.60g for live weight, body weight, thigh weight and shank weight respectively. Meanwhile, the visceral organs were also significantly (P<0.05) differed among the sexes of the used quails. Higher values were obtained for female quails in respect of heart weight (1.33g), Gizzard weight (4.68g) liver weigh (5.15g) and offal weight (12.18) than the male quails. Consequently, it was concluded that quail breeding for carcass components both edible and visceral organs were favored for female Japanese quail and meat production female quails were better than the male quails.