Differential survival pattern of pure and crossbred Japanese quails derived from four diverse strains

Mortality pattern was studied in 16 genetic groups arising out of a complete 4x4 diallel cross involving four diverse quail strains; CARI-UTTAM (CU), CARI-UJJWAL (CJ), CARI-SWETA (CS) and CARI-PEARL (CP). Results revealed an overall-mortality of 9.36% over five week period with maximum (4.9%) occurring during the I^st week. Among different groups, overall-mortality summed over all crossbreds was lower (8.77%) as compared to purebred (11.13%). Purebreds; CUxCU and CJxCJ recorded less mortality (1.37 and 5.80% respectively). Within crossbreds, higher overall mortality exceeding 10% was recorded in CJxCU, CSxCU, CSxCP and CPxCS crosses. It was therefore, inferred that genotype and breeding history had definite effect on the mortality or survivability and quail genotypes of CU and CJ origin were associated with higher survival as compared to CS and CP.