An evaluation of body size as related to weight of three West African breeds of cattle in Nigeria

Abstract

Summary: Body measurements and weights of animals of varying ages were recorded in White Fulani (Bunaji), Sokoto Gudali and N'dama breeds of cattle. Chest girth accounted for 86–96% of the variation in body weight in the three breeds. The linear regression coefficient of weight on chest girth in the N'dama differed significantly from the other two breeds. Within each breed, the regression coefficient of young animals was lower than those of older groups. The variables that contributed most to improving the prediction of weights when added to chest girth were rump length and body length. Animals with low body condition scores had lower regression coefficients of weight on chest girth than those with high scores.