The objectives of this study were to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters for growth traits of meat quails. A total of 1022 birds were housed, identified and individually weighted at 7 days (PES7); 14 days (PES14); 28 days (PES28) and at 42 days (PES42). Covariance components and genetic parameters were estimated by Bayesian procedures using Gibbs sampling with MTGSAM software. Genetic correlations between PES7 and PES14, PES28, and PES42 were respectively 0.73, 0.52 and 0.55 and between PES14 and PES28 and PES42 were respectively 0.73 and 0.56. Genetic correlation of 0.81 between PES28 and PES42 days indicates the possibility to increase weight at 42 days by selecting for weight at 28 days of age. Estimates of phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.57 to 0.85 and were larger than the genetic ones suggesting small magnitude of positive environmental correlation estimates. The smallest credibility intervals were observed for genetic correlations between PES28 and PES42 and between PES14 and PES28.
genetic correlations; Gibbs sampling; meat quails; weight
