Authors : L. Keith, C. Okere, S. Solaiman and O. Tiller
Abstract: The project explored the feasibility of developing a predictive equation for the determination of live weight (kg) from body conformation traits (CG, Height at Withers (HTW), Body Length (BL), Body Scores Condition (BSC)) and testicular morphormetry (Scrotal Circumference (SC) and Scrotal Weight (SCW)) in pubertal Boer goat bucks. Twenty-one pubertal Boer goats approximately, 8-9 months of age were used in this trail. Mean values for the five body measurements were 4.0±0.77 (body condition score), 75.3±4.87 cm for CG, 62.6±2.88 cm for, HTW, 34.9±5.22 kg BW and 64.6±6.2 cm BL. Values for scrotal circumference and SCW were 26.4±2.59 cm and 400.5±73.8 g, respectively. A highly significant (p<0.01) correlation coefficient of r = 0.839 were established between BW and CG; BW and body condition score (r = 0.653); body condition score and HTW (r = 0.582), respectively, indicating strong relationships or degree of association between these variables. The correlation coefficient between testicular measurements was high, positive and highly significant (SCW vs. SC; r = 0.786, p<0.01). Also, a highly significant correlation coefficient was observed between SC and BW (r = 0.788, p<0.01), between SW and BW (r = 0.927, p<0.01), respectively. When, actual live weights were regressed on the CG, 70% of the variability in body weights in pubertal Boer male goats can be explained by differences in CG (R2 = 0.705). The high and positive correlations between BW or body conformation with testicular morphometric traits established in this study provides information that will be useful in the early selection of Boer goat sires for genetic improvement schemes.
L. Keith, C. Okere, S. Solaiman and O. Tiller, 2009. Accuracy of Predicting Body Weights from Body Conformation and Testicular Morphormetry in Pubertal Boer Goats. Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 3: 26-31.