Selection for mating ability in Japanese quail

Results are presented for a replicated mass selection experiment for high and low cumulative number of completed matings. Through six generations of selection heritabilities of the selected trait averaged .07 for the high lines and .25 for the low lines. No correlated responses were noted for body weight at either 4 or 8 weeks of age, whereas the relationships of the selected trait with size of the cloacal gland and relative aggressiveness were positive.