The Efect of Age on Prediction of Body Weight from Body Linear Measurements of Female Indigenous Matebele Goat in Zimbabwe | [Journal of animal health and production • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Never Assan: Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Management, Bulawayo Regional Campus, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Professor Extraordinaire, University of South Africa, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, South Africa;

2. Machel Musasira: Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, Department of Research and Extension, Private Bag, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

3. Nicholas Mwareya: Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Mathematics, Mutare Regional Campus, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

4. Kwena Mokoena: School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Limpopo, South Africa.

5. Thobela Louis Tyasi: School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Limpopo, South Africa.

6. Enock Muteyo: Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, Department of Research and Extension, Private Bag, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Abstract:

The primary goal of the study was to establish models for predicting body weight (BW ) using linear body measurements (LBMs) in indigenous Matebele does. BW data were correlated and regressed to body measurements (wither height = WTH, heart girth = HG, body length = BL, and rump height = RH) using linear and multiple linear regression of Statistical Package SS. A total of 127 does of diferent ages of 2yrs (N=26), 3yrs (N=34), 4yrs (N=32), and 5yrs (N=35) were used in the study. The strongest association (r = 0.89) was observed between HG and BW in 5-year-old females, and (r = 0.73) between WTH and BW. In 2-year-old females, BL was associated with RH (r = 0.89) and WTH (r = 0.88). In does aged 4 years, the coeficients of correlation between BW and all LBMs were high and positive. The best fits were found for all diferent age groups when all four LBMs were included in the model, with 2yr (R2 = 0.599), 3yr (R2 = 0.624), 4yr (R2 = 0.97), and 5yr (R2 = 0.845). With increasing dam age, predictive power strengthens. In the 4yr age group, linear body measures (R2 = 0.638) and BL (R2 = 0.501) provided satisfactory predictors of body weight as single factors. The findings indicate that the body weight of does in native Matebele goats of diferent ages could be calculated in the field using linear body measures obtained with a tape measure if there was no available weighing equipment.

Page(s): 265-274

DOI: 10.17582/journal.jahp/2025/13.2.265.274

Published: Journal: Journal of animal health and production, Volume: 13, Issue: 2, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Regression , Bivariate correlation , Heart girth , Linear body measurements

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