Comparisons Of Some Nonlinear Functions To Describe Quail Growth Curves Of Half Diallel Cross Progeny

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of diallel cross among three quail varieties: Black (B), Brown (N) and White (W) on growth curves using non-linear regression models (Quadratic, cubic, logarithmic and logistics), the quail progeny fed using growth ration (24.11 % crude protein and 2775 kcal metabolic energy from hatching until 14 weeks of age. The results indicated that the quadratic and cubic non-linear regression models gave best prediction to body weight for unsexed birds during rearing period 1-6 weeks in pure crosses, based on goodness of-fit criteria including high adjusted R2, R2 and lower Akaike information criteria. There are no-significant differences between observed and predicted body weight using prediction equation of quadratic and cubic models.