Variations in linear body measurements and establishing prediction equations for live weight of indigenous sheep populations of southern Ethiopia

Authors

  • Aberra Melesse Hawassa University, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia
  • Sandip Banerjee Hawassa University, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia
  • Admasu Lakew Mekele University, Department of Animal Range and Wilde Life Sciences, Mekele, Ethiopia
  • Fekadu Mersha Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Guraghe Zone, Ethiopia
  • Fsahatsion Hailemariam Axum University, Department of Animal Science and Eco-tourism Management, Axum, Ethiopia
  • Shimeles Tsegaye Gambela ATVET College, Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia
  • Tafesse Makebo Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Kembata-Tembaro Zone, Ethiopia

Keywords:

Morphometrical characters, body weight estimation, indigenous sheep, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to describe variations in morphometrical traits and determine the usefulness of some linear body measurements in predicting body weight (BW) of indigenous sheep populations reared in KmabataTembaro-Hadiya (KTH), Wolaita (WOL), Gamogofa (GAG), Gurage-Silti (GUS) and Sidama-Gedeo (SIG) zones of Southern Region of Ethiopia. Data were obtained from 2712 sheep that were drawn from 928 households. The BW and height at withers (HW) in WOL and SIG ewes aged 1-2 years was significantly high compared to others. High chest girth (CG) values were obtained from SIG, GAG, and GUS ewes. Ewes of SIG, WOL, KTH and GAG had significantly high body length (BL). Significantly high CG values were obtained from SIG and GAG ewes. Rams of WOL, KTH and GUS had significantly high BW, BL and HW. Body weight of KTH, WOL and GAG ewes aged 1 year and above 2 years and rams is better estimated using CG alone. However, the best predictor for KTH, WOL and GAG ewes aged 1-2 years old were CG, HW and BL. In conclusion, CG was the primary variable to explain most of the variations in BW and can be used as reliable predictor for studied sheep types. SIG and WOL sheep had a relatively large body frame and emphasis may be given for their improvement.

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Published

2013-01-31

How to Cite

Melesse, A. ., Banerjee, S. ., Lakew, A. ., Mersha, F. ., Hailemariam, F. ., Tsegaye, S. ., & Makebo, T. . (2013). Variations in linear body measurements and establishing prediction equations for live weight of indigenous sheep populations of southern Ethiopia. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 2(1), 15-25. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/1093

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