Journal of animal production最新文献

{"title":"EXPECTED IMPACT OF SELECTION FOR MILK YIELD ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE TRAITS IN HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN COWS UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS","authors":"Amina Habib, G. Gouda, A. Shemeis, M. El-Sayed","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2020.92771","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2020.92771","url":null,"abstract":"Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters of productive (305-day yields of milk, MY305; fat, FY305 and protein, PY305) and reproductive performance traits (days open, DO; calving interval, CI and number of inseminations per conception, NSC) were calculated on 3398 lactation records of 1054 Holstein Friesian cows, daughters of 94 bulls and 691 dams using multi-trait animal model with repeated records. Expected impact of direct selection for MY305, FY305 and PY305 on reproductive performance was calculated. Heritability estimates for productive traits varied from 0.08 to 0.26 and from 0.04 to 0.19 for reproductive traits. The productive traits were highly inter-correlated genetically (0.995 to 0.998) than the reproductive traits (0.241 to 0.786). Cows which producing abundant MY305, FY305 and PY305 tended to show less reproductive efficiency in terms of longer DO (rG = 0.942 to 0.947), longer CI (rG =0.587 to 0.673) and more NSC (rG =0.769 to 0.829). Direct selection, after one round of selection, for MY305, FY305 and PY305 is expected to result in cows with more advantageous productive performance in terms of higher MY305 (+180.22 to 323.27 kg), FY305 (+13.79 to 24.95 kg) and PY305 (+12.41 to 22.48 kg). This enhancement in productive performance is expected to be associated with deterioration in reproductive performance in terms of longer days open (+16.27 to 29.48 days), longer calving interval (+15.26 to 25.22 days) and higher number of inseminations per conception (+.08 to 0.16 services). It could be concluded that the undesirable relationship between productive and reproductive performance traits in Holstein Frisian cows must be taken into consideration when planning breeding programs in dairy cattle (e.g. improving productive traits by genetic selection and reproductive traits by enhancement management or by using restricted selection indices).","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"37 1","pages":"25-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78466563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CURRENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF MICROALGAE-AQUACULTURE IN EGYPT, CASE STUDY: SIMAF-PROTOTYPE-PROJECT","authors":"Mohamed Ashour","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2020.100851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2020.100851","url":null,"abstract":"Aquaculture is a global industry that supplies essential food to a growing world population and contributes more than 77% of the total Egyptian national fish production. Despite Egypt has a great potential in marine aquaculture, more than 95% of Egyptian aquaculture production is categorized as fresh water aquaculture. Until now, Egypt has no real marine aquaculture and this is attributed to many obstacles. One of these obstacles is the quality and quantity of microalgae in the marine hatcheries. Another obstacle is offering of the adequate aquaculture diet, quality and quantity. In this review, we concern on these two obstacles in relation to the current status and the future perspectives of microalgae as aquaculture feedstock in Egypt. In last few years, microalgae industry is one of the most growing industries over the world and can enhance the Egyptian national income, attributed to the great potential of microalgae production in Egypt, especially with the strong presence of microalgae production strategy keys like diversity of microalgae species in water bodies and land, culture conditions, culture facilities, native isolated strains, scientific and governmental interest, which provides great opportunities for success. The project funded from Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) in title (Prototype of Sustainable Marine Integrated Aquaculture Farm for the Production of Seafood, Valuable Bio-Products and Biodiesel, SMIAF-Prototype), therefore, the project SMIAF aims to prepare an ideal prototype for marine sustainable integrated aquaculture farm that completely environmentally-friendly, produce sustainable seafood and highly effective for nutrients removal from aquaculture wastewater and convert these wastes by microalgae, as well as seaweeds, to valuable bio-products at semi-industrial scale, with high economic value.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"46 1","pages":"163-170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79498337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"INFLUENCE OF USING OLIVE CAKE MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT SODIUM BICARBONATE ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS","authors":"I. Azaz, H. A. El-Haliem, S. Gadelrab, H. El-Komy, A. Ahmed, M. Ouda","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2020.92778","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2020.92778","url":null,"abstract":"The present experiment was carried out to investigate the possibility of incorporating 10 and 20 % of olive cake meal (OCM) with or without 0.25% and 0.50% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in the rabbit diets and their effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood constituents, nutrient utilization and economical efficiency of growing rabbits. A total of 105 unsexed, New Zealand White (NZW) weaned rabbits of 4 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 7 equal experimental groups (15 rabbits each). Rabbits were housed individually in wire mesh cages. The first treatment served as control without additives. The 2, 3, and 4 treatments contained 10 % OCM supplemented with zero, 0.25 and 0.50 % NaHCO3, respectively. The 5 , 6th and 7 treatments contained 20 % OCM supplemented with zero, 0.25 and 0.50 % NaHCO3, respectively. Results revealed that rabbits fed diet supplemented with 10 % OCM with 0.25 NaHCO3 recorded the highest value of final body weight, total gain, daily weight gain and performance index (%). In addition, diets with 10 and 20% OCM with 0.25 or 0.50 NaHCO3 numerically increased digestibility coefficient of CP and significantly increased (P≤0.01) digestibility coefficient of CF as compared with other groups. Whereas, 20% OCM without NaHCO3 attained the worst nutrient digestibility for all parameters studied. Also, rabbits fed 10 % OCM with or without NaHCO3 were more efficient in feeding utilization than the others. Furthermore, Rabbits fed 10 % OCM plus 0.25 or 0.50% NaHCO3 diets had the highest significance (P≤0.01) in carcass % compared with others. Rabbits fed diet supplemented with 10% OCM without NaHCO3 had the lowest values of all traits. Furthermore, the differences for serum cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin concentrations were highly significant (P≤0.01) whereas, the differences were significant (P≤0.05) for ALT, and non significant for total lipids, total protein, globulin, A/G and AST. Data on serum cholesterol concentrations were greater in for the groups that were fed 10 or 20 % OCM without NaHCO3 (P≤0.01) compared with others. There were an improvement in economical efficiency (EEf) and relative economical efficiency (REEf) for rabbits fed diets 10% OCM, without or with NaHCO3, as compared with other groups. In conclusion, results of this study indicated that inclusion of olive cake meal (OCM) in growing rabbit's diet at a level 10% with or without sodium bicarbonate may be useful and have significant impact on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood components and economical efficiency.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"11 1","pages":"43-51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90878572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"IMPACT OF CROSSING MUSCOVY AND SUDANI (EGYPTIAN MUSCOVY) DUCKS ON SOME GROWTH PARAMETERS","authors":"A. Makram, A. Galal, A. El-Attar","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2017.93268","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2017.93268","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study is to improve productive performance for Sudani duck by crossing its females with Muscovy males. At 32 wks of age, the Muscovy males (M) were mated with Sudani (S) females. Body weight was recorded according to the marketing age of each strain and the cross, body weight gain; growth rate and feed conversion ratio were weekly calculated. Body measurements were measured from the second week of age. The obtained results showed that the Muscovy and hybrids (MS cross) had significantly the heaviest body weight compared to Sudani ones. A similar trend was found for in the MS cross at all ages when compared to Sudani or Muscovy duck. Concerning feed conversion ratio (4-6 wks), the results showed that there was no significant difference among strains. However, the hybrids (MS cross) had the worst feed conversion ratio compared to their parents from 2-4, 6-8 and 2-8 weeks of age. The MS cross had significantly higher body measurements at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks of age compared to their parents. In conclusion, the hybrids (MS cross) recorded the best value (positive heterosis) for body weight at all ages With respect to growth rate, the heterosis had positive effect at all ages except from 4-5 and 9-10 weeks of age.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"5 1 1","pages":"223-228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90104482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of Buffalo veal supply chain in villages around Cairo","authors":"Amal K. El-Asheeri, Sherif Abdelghany, V. Alary, C. Corniaux, M. Radwan","doi":"10.21608/EJAP.2017.93273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/EJAP.2017.93273","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to characterize buffalo veal supply chain in 5 villages around Cairo. Value chain approach was applied to analyze veal supply chain using the data of 82 farmers, 4 traders and 4 butchers. Economic analysis was applied to different scenarios of raising calves using buffalo milk, cow milk or milk replacer. Survey analysis showed that 65% of farmers sold veal as early as possible. However, 61% of farmers sold their calves for economic reasons, 14 % for technical reasons and 25 % for both economic and technical reasons. Survey analysis showed the high demand on veal meat due to its unique quality. Technical and economic pressures on farmers motivate them to sell veal. Buffalo veal chain provides farmers with money to cover their needs, offers jobs through the whole year. Many butchers and traders prefer to slaughter veal due to the low price of veal compared with older or heavier cattle. Economic analysis of different alternatives to raise calves proved the feasibility of using milk replacer compared with cow or buffalo milk. Slaughtering veal, lack of finance and training programs to raise buffalo calves decreased the contribution of buffaloes in Egyptian meat market. High demand of veal meat and veal selling decision sustain the veal supply chain around Cairo. This study confirms that all chain actors and the related enterprises should be considered to set new regulations for the current veal chain.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"60 1","pages":"105-109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77010836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic Diversity and Structure of Domestic Cavy (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>) Populations from Smallholder Farms in Southern Cameroon.","authors":"Basengere Ayagirwe, Felix Meutchieye, Appolinaire Djikeng, Robert Skilton, Sarah Osama, Yacouba Manjeli","doi":"10.20884/1.jap.2017.19.1.585","DOIUrl":"10.20884/1.jap.2017.19.1.585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although domestic cavies are widely used in sub-Saharan Africa as a source of meat and income, there are only a few studies of their population structure and genetic relatedness. This seminal study was designed with the main objective to assess the genetic diversity and determine the population structure of cavy populations from Cameroon to guide the development of a cavy improvement program. Sixteen microsatellite markers were used to genotype 109 individuals from five cavy populations (Wouri, Moungo and Nkongsamba in the Littoral region, and Mémé and Fako in the Southwest region of Cameroon). Twelve markers worked in the five populations with a total of 17 alleles identified, with a range of 2.9 to 4.0 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity (from 0.022 to 0.277) among populations was lower than expected heterozygosity (from 0.42 to 0.54). Inbreeding rates between individuals of the populations and between individuals in each population were 59.3% and 57.2%, respectively, against a moderate differentiation rate of 4.9%. All the tested loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except for locus 3. Genetic distances between populations were small (from 0.008 to 0.277), with a high rate of variability among individuals within each population (54.4%). Three distinct genetic groups were structured. This study has shown that microsatellites are useful for the genetic characterization of cavy populations in Cameroon and that the populations investigated have sufficient genetic diversity that can be used to be deployed as a basis for weight, prolificacy and disease resistance improvement. The genetic of diversity in Southern Cameroon is wide and constitute an opportunity for cavy breeding program.</p>","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7771548/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38769374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SWOT analysis of traditional skimmed milk chain around Greater Cairo","authors":"Sherif Abdelghany, C. Corniaux, V. Alary, M. Radwan, Amal K. El-Asheeri","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2017.93274","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2017.93274","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to apply SWOT analysis on traditional skimmed milk chain around Greater Cairo which considered as one of the main dairy markets in Egypt. This study was carried out in El-Reka village located in south of Greater Cairo, (Giza governorate), nearby Beni Suef governorate. SWOT analysis was applied including food safety aspect and value chain analysis to raise the major advantages and constraints of the traditional sector. This study was based on regular field visits, interviews, and analysis of milk samples. Main stakeholders of the chain were farmers, owners of milk collection points, owners of milk collection centers, and owners of dairy processing units. SWOT analysis allowed highlighting the major role of the social network to explain the flexibility and adaptability of this sector to the major constraints in link with international competitiveness and national constraints, mainly on the limitation of land access. Other weaknesses concerned high feedstuffs prices on markets, and lack of public services, in terms of milk quality control and herd management at farm level. The high dynamic of the traditional sector was identified, particularly at milk collection points in terms of quantity of collected milk and milk price. However, the social network opens interesting opportunities to develop efficient and flexible services.These elements could help decision makers and developers to prioritize sustainable development activities in link with global agenda of the agricultural sector and increasing demand for dairy products in Egypt. Selling skimmed milk is the most attractive scenario for small farmers that led to a fast growing of skimmed milk collection compared with whole milk. The traditional skimmed milk chain showed high ability to adopt quality control protocols based on market signals and milk processing units' standards.Governmental and non-governmental activities could propose new policies to protect the traditional actors along the chain. Specific dairy quality control programs should be developed along the chain. Therefore, dairy sector regulations and rules should be reviewed to make balance along the chain and to set fair pricing system and guarantee food safety for all consumers in local villages and cities markets.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89076215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"EFFECT OF PROBIOTICS SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF MAGHATIR CAMEL-CALVES","authors":"A. F. Hussein","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2016.93609","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2016.93609","url":null,"abstract":"This study was conducted to investigate the effect of probiotics inclusion on growth traits, hematological profile and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) concentration at monthly intervals for six months period. 22 early weaned camel-calves of Maghatir breed (12 males and 10 females) aged 6-7 months and weighing 186.6±0.3and 173.2 ±0.0.5 kg for males and females, respectively were used. Calves were allotted into two main groups according to their gender and each gender was assigned into two equal groups had approximately similar body weight. The first group fed concentrate feed mixtures (CFM) without probiotics and served as control group (C), whereas, the second group fed CFM plus 20g/h/d of probiotics and served as treated group (P). Live body weight (BW) and hematological parameters (hemoglobin concentration, Hb; packed cell volume, PCV; erythrocyte count, RBC's; and total leukocytes count, WBC's) were determined monthly. In addition derived erythrocyte indices (mean corpuscular volume, MCV, fl; mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCH, pg and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, MCHC %) were calculated in addition to plasma thyroid hormones concentration. Results indicated that males of (P) group gained more body weight (+5.39%) compared with the corresponding females' one. Probiotics supplementation improved ADG for males (18.5%) and females (4.9%), respectively than control groups. Porbiotics supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on plasma T3 and T4 concentrations in both genders. Hb, PCV, RBC's and WBC's values significantly (P<0.05) affected in both gender calves supplemented probiotics compared with control calves. Gender had significant effects on body weight, hematological parameters and T3 and T4 where females had higher values (P<0.05) of Hb, PCV and RBC’s count, while male calves had higher (P<0.05) values of BW, WBC’s count, T4 and T3 levels than females. Daily gain of control groups showed that male calves had higher (P<0.01) daily gain than the female calves. In addition, plasma T3 concentrations increased (P<0.001) over time in both genders and tended to be more related to body weight gain, while T4 behaved the opposite trend. It could be concluded that probiotics supplementation (20g/h/d) in ration of post-weaning camel calves improving weight gain and physiological status.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"243 1","pages":"129-139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73082107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic evaluation of growth and survival at 6 weeks old fry of Egyptian Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) between improved Abbassa and commercial Manzala strains in a diallel crossing","authors":"M. R. Md Said, W. Mekkawy","doi":"10.21608/ejap.2016.93610","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2016.93610","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to evaluate growth performance and estimate additive genetic, heterosis, and general reciprocal effects for body weight, body length, condition factor, and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry at 6 weeks old after hatching using a complete diallel cross between the genetically improved “Abbassa” strain(A) and a commercially available strain Manzala(M). Body weight and total body length were observed significantly (P <0.001) higher in MmAf and AmMf crosses (2.87g & 5.55 cm; 2.78g & 5.33cm, respectively). The straight-bred AmAf weight and length were 2.64g, 5.18cm, respectively while the straightbred MmMf showed the lowest growth parameters 2.42g and 5.04cm,respectively.Condition factor of AmAf, AmMf, and MmMf genotypes (1.89, 1.85, and 1.81 respectively) didn’t differ significantly whereas the MmAf cross showed a significantly lower condition factor 1.67. The survival of the straight-bred AmAf was 0.98,which significantly (P <0.001) higher than AmMf, MmAf, and MmMf genotypes. Abbassa strain showed 5, 2.1, and 10% additive genetic effect above the overall mean in body weight, survival, and condition factor respectively. Heterosis estimates were positive and relatively high 11.7% and 6.2% for body weight and total body length while a negative heterosis estimates were observed for the condition factor and survival, being -6.7% and -2.6% respectively. Reciprocal effect was significant (P <0.001) for total body length and condition factor. The results of the current study suggest that body weight and total body length of the Nile tilapia fry at 6 weeks old after hatching could be improved through crossing schemes exploiting the heterosis effect however the crossing did not show any improvement in survival.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83109384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variation in linear body measurements and establishing prediction equations for live body weight of indigenous sheep populations of southern Ethiopia","authors":"A. Melesse, S. Banerje, A. Lakew, F. Mersha, Fsahatsion Hailemariam, S. Tsegaye, Tafesse Makebo, A. Haile, T. Dessie","doi":"10.14196/SJAS.V2I1.438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14196/SJAS.V2I1.438","url":null,"abstract":"This study was conducted to describe variations in morphometrical traits and determine the usefulness of some linear body measurements in predicting body weight (BW) of indigenous sheep populations reared in KmabataTembaro-Hadiya (KTH), Wolaita (WOL), Gamogofa (GAG), Gurage-Silti (GUS) and Sidama-Gedeo (SIG) zones of Southern Region of Ethiopia. Data were obtained from 2712 sheep that were drawn from 928 households. The BW and height at withers (HW) in WOL and SIG ewes aged 1-2 years was significantly high compared to others. High chest girth (CG) values were obtained from SIG, GAG, and GUS ewes. Ewes of SIG, WOL, KTH and GAG had significantly high body length (BL). Significantly high CG values were obtained from SIG and GAG ewes. Rams of WOL, KTH and GUS had significantly high BW, BL and HW. Body weight of KTH, WOL and GAG ewes aged 1 year and above 2 years and rams is better estimated using CG alone. However, the best predictor for KTH, WOL and GAG ewes aged 1-2 years old were CG, HW and BL. In conclusion, CG was the primary variable to explain most of the variations in BW and can be used as reliable predictor for studied sheep types. SIG and WOL sheep had a relatively large body frame and emphasis may be given for their improvement.","PeriodicalId":93197,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal production","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88722774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}