BODY WEIGHT ESTIMATION USING BODY MEASUREMENTS IN GOATS (Capra hircus) UNDER FIELD CONDITION

Abstract

Body weight information of livestock animals is signi cant for trade, routine animal health monitoring and dosage calculations for treatment of diseases. Under eld conditions, a convenient body weight estimation formula in goats (Capra hircus) using body measurements was developed and evaluated. A total of 300 adult goats in Barili, Cebu were used for the development of the formula, and 66 goats from the VSU Goat Project, Baybay City, Leyte and Ubay Stock Farm, Bohol were used for its eld reliability testing. Animals were selected by convenience sampling regardless of sex and breed. In the univariate level of analyses, all body measurement parameters (rump height [RH], body length [BL], heart girth [HG], and wither height [WH]) showed signi cant correlation (P<0.05). In the multivariate level (stepwise regression), the wither height was removed in the nal equation [estimated live weight={((2xRH)+(4XBL)+(6XHG))/10}-53] which resulted into a stronger correlation with the actual live weight (R=0.899, R2=0.81, P<0.05). Body weight estimatior from other authors were compared with the current formula developed. Results revealed that the technique utilizing this formula demonstrated high reliability in goats in the study areas, implying good potential for generalized applicability.