Prediction of body weight from linear body measurement in two breeds of cattle

The study compared live weight and linear body measurements of two breeds of cattle (White Fulani and Muturu Cattle) and regressed linear body measurements on live weight. A total of eighty-six cattle of forty-three per a breed were reared at the cattle production unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, Akwa Ibom State University – Obio Akpa Campus, Nigeria in a semi intensive management system. Parameters measured were; live weight (LW), face length (FCL), head circumference (HC), ear length (EL), neck length(NL), neck circumference(NC), height at wither(HW), body length(BL), body circumference(BC), hind limb(HL), fore limb(FL), and tail length(TL). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis for morphometric traits and prediction was done through linear model regression method using SPSS statistical software package. Breed of cattle significantly (P>0.05) affected all linear body measurements and live weight exception of NL .Linear body Parameters of both breeds were compared. The mean live weight of White Fulani and Muturu were 251.28kg and 149.81kg, respectively. Means of FL, EL, NL, BL, HL, TL and BC, NC and HW of White Fulani were significantly (P<0.01) higher than Muturu breed but the HC of Muturu was significantly (P<0.01) higher than White Fulani breed. Muturu breed had higher R2 of 0.98 in BL and BC than White Fulani breed. In conclusion, White Fulani was considered a larger breed than Muturu cattle. Live weight can be accurately predicted from linear body measurements through BC and BL in both breeds.

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Prediction of body weight from linear body measurements in sheep

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-3360 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sandeep Kumar ◽

S. P. Dahiya ◽

Z. S. Dahiya ◽

C. S. Patil

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Body Height ◽

Selection Criterion ◽

Live Weight ◽

Tail Length ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Linear Type ◽

Linear Body

Measurements of body conformation in sheep are of value in judging the quantitative characteristics of meat and also helpful in developing suitable selection criterion. Data on 349 Harnali sheep for body length (BL), body height (BH), heart girth (HG), paunch girth (PG), tail length (TL), head circumference (HC), ear length (EL), ear width (EW), face length (FL) and adult body weight (ABW) were analysed to study the relationship between linear body measurements and body weight. The mixed linear model with dam’s weight at lambing as covariate was used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on body measurements and body weight. High estimates of heritability were obtained for BL, BH, HG, TL, HC, EL, EW, FL and ABW while moderate estimate was obtained for PG. The phenotypic correlations of BL, BH, HG, PG, HC and FL with ABW were positive and significant (0.32±0.04 to 0.59±0.08). The genetic correlations of HG, PG, HC and FL with ABW were 0.51±0.13, 0.42±0.19, 0.44±0.13 and 0.43±0.15, respectively. Various combinations of linear type traits to predict ABW were found to have coefficient of determination as high as 0.92. It is concluded that heart girth is the most important trait for estimation of live weight in sheep and the prediction equation is Body weight = -63.72 + 1.23 HG with R2 = 0.87.

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Evaluation of early growth performance of backcross progenies from crossbred gilts mated with their native parents

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v33i2.898 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 170-177

Author(s):

P. E. Nwaku ◽

M. O. Otuma

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Body Length ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

The Body ◽

Body Measurements ◽

State University ◽

Weaning Age ◽

The Mean ◽

Linear Body

The pre weaning growth performance of piglets from four different cross bred dams mated back to their native parents was studied in the Breeding and Research Farm of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Parameters like body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency as well as linear body measurements of body length, heart girth and height at withers were taken and observed for growth between birth and weaning age of eight weeks. Results Results indicated significant differences (P<0.05) between the main backcross N x (N x LR) and the three other genotypes of N x (N x LW), N x (LR x N) and N x (LW x N) in all parameters. The mean birth weight of the progenies ranged from 1.00±0.60 to 1.60±5kg while the weaning weights were 10.5±0.4 to 16.0±1.0kg respectively. Results further revealed that body weight at weaning correlated responsively with all parameters and these include body length (r=0.858), heart girth (r= 0.446) and height at the withers (r= 0.946). Similarly, body length has a positive correlation with heart girth (r= 0.477) and height at the withers (r= 0.827) whereas hear girth correlated positively with the height at the withers (r= 0.494). Similar trend were obtained in the regression of each of the body measurements on the other in which bodyweight changes depended more on that of body length (0.86) than on heart girth (0.45). Judging from the observed variations existing among the piglets resulting from differnt crossbreed dams in their pre-weaning growth performance, maternal rather than paternal influences appeared to be more important in the traits studied.

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Correlation of milk intake and body weight with linear body measurements of white Fulani calves in semi-intensive system of management

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v47i3.116 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 16-21

Author(s):

B. I. Umoh ◽

U. M. Okon ◽

J. S. Ekpo

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Body Length ◽

Tail Length ◽

Neck Circumference ◽

The Body ◽

Milk Intake ◽

Body Measurements ◽

White Fulani ◽

Linear Body ◽

Intensive System

Body weight of animals in the rural areas has not been accurately ascertained due to lack of accurate measurement scales, hence this experiment. The study was conducted to determine the correlation between milk intake and body weight with linear body measurements in white Fulani calves raised in semi-intensive system of management. A total of seven (7) white Fulani calves managed semi-intensively was used for the study. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. The overall mean±SEM value for milk intake, body weight, neck circumference, neck length, body length, body circumference, girth circumference, height at wither and tail length were 1.20±0.40g, 5.18±1.02kg, 21.54±0.66cm, 13.23±0.21cm, 28.36±0.31cm, 36.41±0.43cm, 35.84±0.37cm, 35.87±0.43cm and 23.43±0.39cm respectively. There was significant (P<0.05) effect of lactation stage on all body measurements taken except for neck circumference and tail length. Correlation between all body pairs of measurements were high, positive and highly significant (P<0.05). The highest correlation was recorded for body length, body circumference, girth circumference and height at wither. Linear function provided the best fit for milk intake weight and linear body measurements indicating that body measurements can be used for selection and the estimation of body weight in the fields where accurate scales are not usually available. It is recommended that any of the body measurement parameters could be used in the estimation of the body weight. Also, an improvement of non-genetic factor such as nutrition and general husbandry of the animal as much as possible will bring about improvement in the body parameters as well as maintaining the animal's physiological balance.

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The effects of genotype and week of lactation on milk yield, udder dimensions and linear body measurements of non-dairy ewes

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v38i2.2787 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 9-17

Author(s):

O. O. Adewumi ◽

C. A. Chineke ◽

J. A. Alokan ◽

I. J. James ◽

O. A. Akinola

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Tail Length ◽

West African ◽

Head Width ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Leg Length ◽

West African Dwarf ◽

Face Length ◽

Daily Milk Yield ◽

Linear Body

One hundred and ninety two records were taken weekly for twenty four (24) weeks from West African Dwarf (WD), the Yankasa (YN) and the West African Dwarf X Yankasa crossbred (XB) sheep. The traits evaluated were milk yield (MK), linear body measurements (LB) such as height at withers, (HT), body length (BL), heart girth (HG), shoulder width (SW), Tail length (TA), Neck length (NL), Neck circumference (NC), Face length (FA), Hind leg length (HL), Foreleg length (FL), Face length (FA), Ear length (EA), Head width (HW) and Rump height (RH) together with the following Udder dimensions (UD): Udder circumference (UC), Teat length (TL) and Teat circumference (TC). There was significant (P<0.05) influence of genotype on MK, WHT, HT, BL, TA, FL, HL, FA, EA and RH. The WD ewes produced more milk than either the YN or XB enes. Average daily milk yield (ml) was 122.25, 90.88 ana 108.8. The YN genotype was superior in all LBs except SW and NC than the WD and XB in the three genotypes. Height at withers was 59.08, 69.21 and 61.81 cm; BL 48.54, 55.08 and 54.49 cm and RH 62.88, 75.11 and 68.46 cm for WD, YN and XB enes respectively. Since milk offtake is related to body weight and some linear body measurements, selection for WT, HG, SW, NL NC, UC and TL in WD ewes could lead to higher milk and mutton production.

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Haemoglobin types and their effects on morphometric traits of indigenous cattle, sheep and goats in Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v46i2.2499 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 22-26

Author(s):

M. M. Shettima ◽

N. K. Alade ◽

A. O. Raji

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Body Length ◽

Tail Length ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Neck Length ◽

Morphometric Traits ◽

Indigenous Cattle ◽

Face Length ◽

Better Than ◽

Linear Body

This study focused on polymorphisms of haemoglobin in some indigenous ruminants. Blood samples were collected from a total of 2400 ruminants (600 cattle, 900 goats and 900 sheep) and analyzed. Body Weight (BW) and Nine linear body measurements viz: Height at withers (HW), Body length (BL), Heart girth (HG), Face length (FL), Neck length (NL), Neck width (NW), Rump width (RW), Ear length (EL), Tail length (TL) and shoulder width (SW) were measured on each animal prior to blood sample collection. The results revealed that animals with heterozygotes genotype Hb AB had higher values for body weight (313.42 kg), body length (158.23 cm), shoulder width (28.21 cm) and heart girth (150.39 cm) in cattle. In goats, individuals with Hb BB and Hb AB had similar heart girth (69.33 and 66.16 cm), body weight (21.08 and 20.92 kg), and shoulder width (10.43 and 10.23 cm), though they were better than those with Hb AA genotype. In conclusion, while Hb AA is an adaptation genotype in sheep, Hb AB is the genotype of choice for both adaptation and meat traits in cattle and goats.

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Morphometric traits of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) as affected by genotype and sex

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v47i4.77 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

I. O. Dudusola ◽

H. A. Bashiru ◽

I. Awojimi

Keyword(s):

Scientific Information ◽

Meleagris Gallopavo ◽

Tail Length ◽

University Teaching ◽

Sexually Dimorphic ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Morphometric Traits ◽

Measuring Tape ◽

Beak Length ◽

Linear Body

Morphometric traits have been found useful in quantifying body size and shape and scientific information on them would be required for genetic improvement of turkeys. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of sex and genotype on morphometric traits of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Linear body measurements were taken on 70 exotic turkeys (20 males and 50 females) and 80 locally adapted turkeys (30 males and 50 females) randomly selected from the Turkey Unit at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm. The linear body measurements taken and recorded were the beak length, head length, neck length, body length, keel length, wing span, wing length, drumstick, Shank length, toe length, tail length and body girth all taken in centimeters (cm) using a measuring tape. Data were analyzed with the GLM procedure of SAS and Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to detect differences among means. There were significant differences (p <0.05) between male and female turkeys with male turkeys having higher values as an expression of sexual dimorphism for all studied traits. Further, the male was found to be significantly higher (p <0.05) than the females for all the morphometric traits measured both for the local and exotic type. The exotic type was found to be significantly (p <0.05) higher than the local type for all the morphometric traits measured. There were significant (p <0.05) interactions between sex and genotype with the male exotic having higher values of all the morphometric traits observed. It was concluded that turkeys are sexually dimorphic and that exotic type had higher body conformation and morphology than their locally adapted counterpart.

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Characteristics of Bonpala sheep

Animal Genetic Resources Information ◽

10.1017/s1014233900000973 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. 15-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. K. Vij ◽

M. S. Tantia ◽

A. E. Nivsarkar

Keyword(s):

Body Length ◽

Management Practices ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Tail Length ◽

Sheep Breed ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Dual Purpose ◽

Face Width ◽

Face Length

SummaryBonpala is a dual purpose sheep breed found in Sikkim, Western Bhutan and Eastern Nepal. A sample survey was conducted in east Sikkim to record characteristics of Bonpala sheep. Information was recorded on morphological characteristics, management practices and body measurements. Bonpala sheep have mixed colours ranging from all white, white and black or all black. Measurements were recorded of body length, height, heart girth, paunch girth, rump width, pin width, face length, face width, ear length, tail length, horn length and horn circumference.

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The effect of body size and body condition on the ovulation rate of ewes

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100011880 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 377-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

M. J. Ducker ◽

J. S. Boyd

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Body Condition ◽

Live Weight ◽

Ovulation Rate ◽

Subjective Measure ◽

Body Dimensions ◽

The Mean ◽

Per Se ◽

Linear Body

SUMMARYBody size was estimated for 255 Greyface ewes using five linear body dimensions. On the basis of this calculated measure combined with a subjective measure of body size 50 small and 50 large ewes were selected for use in the experiment. Precise ovulation data were obtained by endoscopy and this technique allowed the ewes to be mated subsequently.Body size did not affect the mean ovulation rate of the ewes although, at the same level of body condition, the large ewes were 25% heavier than the small ewes. The ovulation rates and the numbers of lambs born were influenced by changes in live weight and body condition. For these reasons live weight per se was not a good indicator of ovulation rate as ewe live weight was a combination of both body size and body condition. At the same live weight small ewes in improving body condition had a significantly higher ovulation rate than large ewes in reducing body condition.The onset of the breeding season of the ewes was not affected by their body size. The mean date of onset of oestrous activity for both large and small ewes was 17 October 1972 at a latitude 55° 52′ N.

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CHARACTERIZATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE MALPURA SHEEP BREED

Animal Genetic Resources Information ◽

10.1017/s1014233900000523 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

pp. 75-82

Author(s):

S. C. Mehta ◽

P. K. Vij ◽

B. K. Joshi ◽

R. Sahai ◽

A. E. Nivsarkar

Keyword(s):

Body Length ◽

Age Groups ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Tail Length ◽

The Body ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Face Width ◽

Body Weights ◽

Face Length ◽

Chest Girth

SUMMARYObservations were recorded on morphological characteristics, body weights and body measurements of 344 Malpura sheep belonging to nine age groups during a survey conducted in 18 randomly selected villages of three blocks of the Chittorgarh district of Rajastha. The body weights at birth, 1, 3, 6 and 9 months and adult weight averaged 3.3, 6.7±0.88, 12.9±0.71, 16.4±0.71, 21.0±1.00 and 31.4 kg respectively. Height, body length, chest girth, paunch girth, face length, face width, tail length and ear length of adult Malpura sheep averaged 63.6, 66.8, 77.1, 80.9, 20.7, 9.8, 30.3 and 6.3 cm respectively. Sex of the animal had significant effect on weight, height, body length and chest girth at 8 teeth stage. Phenotypic correlations of body weight with height, chest girth and paunch girth ranged from 0.76±0.04 to 0.88±0.03 and regression of weight on these body measurements ranged from 0.63±0.02 to 0.98±0.05.

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