A Comparative On-Farm Evaluation of Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency in the TANUVAS Namakkal Gold versus a Standard Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)

Author(s): Saravanan M, Vigneshwaran B

This study evaluated the production performance of the newly developed "TANUVAS Namakkal Gold" quail strain in comparison to a standard Japanese quail control within the rural farming systems of Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 300-day-old chicks (150 per strain) were distributed to selected farmers under a Front-Line Demonstration program. Production traits including body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were meticulously recorded over an 8-week period. Results indicated that Namakkal Gold quails exhibited superior growth, starting with a significantly higher day-old weight (8.45±0.34g vs. 7.83±0.19g) and culminating in an 18.4% higher final body weight at six weeks (326.17±8.81g vs. 275.57±5.42g). While Namakkal Gold quails consumed more cumulative feed (635.6±45.5g vs. 574.0±37.8g), they demonstrated a significantly better overall FCR (2.70 vs. 2.96), indicating superior feed efficiency. The growth pattern differed, with Namakkal Gold achieving peak weight gain later (weeks 3–4) compared to the control (weeks 2–3). The authors conclude that the Namakkal Gold quail strain presents a genetically superior alternative for commercial quail farming, offering significantly enhanced growth rates and better feed conversion efficiency, making it a highly suitable and profitable venture for rural farmers.