CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF QUAIL (COTURNIX-COTURNIX-JAPONICA) SLAUGHTERED AT DIFFERENT AGES

1. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship betwee n slaughter ages and carcase characteristics of Japanese quail. 2. Chi cks were slaughtered at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 weeks of age. Carcase yield, carcase parts weight, weight of liver, heart, gizzard and alimentary t ract were obtained. Protein, fat, dry matter and ash contents of meat were analysed for each sex. 3. Body weight and eviscerated weight were affected by age. Age had no significant effect on the weight of liver , alimentary tract, gizzard and heart. Age had first and second order polynomial effects on breast weight and relative leg weight. Meat comp ositions of leg and breast were significantly affected by age.