Influence of strain and sex on estimation of within-age-group body weight of Nigerian Maradi goats from their linear body measurements

Abstract

The influence of strain and sex on body weight (BW) and linear body measurements [body length (BL), height-at-withers (HW), and heart girth (HG)] and their relationships in sex groups (1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30, and 31-36 months) were studied in 720 smallholder Maradi goats of Nigeria. Sex significantly (P < 0.05) influenced BW, BL, HW, and HG at 25-30 and 31-36 months; 7-12 months; 7-12, 25-30, and 31-36 months; and 25-30 and 31-36 months, respectively. Males weighed heavier and had wider HG than females at maturity, but females had longer and higher BL and HW, respectively, at 7-12 months. Strain significantly (P < 0.05) influenced BW, BL, HW, and HG, except at 7-12 and 13-18 months; 13-18 months; 25-30 and 31-36 months; and 7-12 and 13-18 months, respectively. Brown and light brown goats were predominantly heavier in BW and had higher HW. Body weight was significantly (P < 0.01, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with BL (0.74, 0.63, 0.60, 0.63, and 0.65), HW (0.79, 0.60, 0.51, 0.47, and 0.46) and HG (0.72, 0.57, 0.76, 0.72, and 0.75). Based on the magnitude of the correlations, HG and BL could be used to estimate BW of Maradi goats across all ages.