A recursive path model for estimation of the live weight using some body measurements in Awassi sheep
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Date
2019-06-19
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Ankara Üniversitesi
Abstract
Aim of this study was to investigate direct, indirect and total effects of body measurements on live weight in Awassi sheep and to derive prediction equations for estimation of the live weight. Live weight, head length, body length, withers height, chest depth, chest width and rump height measurements of 270 Awassi sheep at the age of 2-4 years raised at a private farm in Eskişehir Province, Turkey was used. A recursive path model was established to estimate the live weight of the Awassi sheep using these body measurements. Results showed that there was a significant indirect effect of withers height, rump height and body length and significant direct effect of chest depth, chest width and head length on live weight. The strongest predictor of live weight was chest depth, followed by chest width and head length. In conclusion, the equations given in this study could serve as a practical tool to predict the live weight of Awassi sheep.
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Keywords
Awassi sheep, Live weight, Path analysis