ABSTRACT
A total
number of Zebu cattle were involved in a study conducted to predict live weight
body measurements. The animals comprising 10 white Fulani, 17 N' dama and 15
White Fulani x N 'dama cross-breeds were selected from the cattle .unit of the
University Livestock Farm. The live weight of the animals ranged from 120 to
390kg. The measurements taken were, Height at withers (HW), Body length (BL)
and Heart girth (HG). Measured weight (WT) and calculated Weight (CWT) were
better in the male than in the· female. The study revealed that Heart Girth
(HG) around the hump had the highest correlation coefficient with the live
weight (r=0.88; p<0.01). This was followed by BL (r=0.70) and HW (r=0.58),
respectively. The regression analysis of live weight on heart girth around the
hump was highly significant (p<0.01) indicating a linear relationship
existed between the two. The study revealed that Heart girth (HG) could be the
most reliable for the estimation of live weights in Zebu cattle followed by
Body length (BL) because of the significant correlation (r) value between
liveweight and Heart Girth (HG) and body length (BL). The general equation
derived for prediction of live weight of zebu cattle in University farm were: Y
=-148.824 +6.720 HG; Y=- 205. 458 +- 5.815 HG± 2.273 HW (Where Y = live weight
in Kg, HG= Heart girth in cm and HW = height at withers in cm). The linear body
measurements can be used to predict live weight of farm animals which will be a
useful source of information for farm decision making by the stockman, thereby
helping to improve overall productivity of the animals.
NW, I (2023). Estimation Of Body Weight Of Zebu Cattle From Linear Body Measurements:- Okeka, Nwafor I.. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/estimation-of-body-weight-of-zebu-cattle-from-linear-body-measurements-okeka-nwafor-i-7-2
ISRAEL, NW. "Estimation Of Body Weight Of Zebu Cattle From Linear Body Measurements:- Okeka, Nwafor I." Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 26 Oct. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/estimation-of-body-weight-of-zebu-cattle-from-linear-body-measurements-okeka-nwafor-i-7-2. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
ISRAEL, NW. "Estimation Of Body Weight Of Zebu Cattle From Linear Body Measurements:- Okeka, Nwafor I.". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 26 Oct. 2023. Web. 24 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/estimation-of-body-weight-of-zebu-cattle-from-linear-body-measurements-okeka-nwafor-i-7-2 >.
ISRAEL, NW. "Estimation Of Body Weight Of Zebu Cattle From Linear Body Measurements:- Okeka, Nwafor I." Mouau.afribary.org (2023). Accessed 24 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/estimation-of-body-weight-of-zebu-cattle-from-linear-body-measurements-okeka-nwafor-i-7-2