Philippine E-Journals

Determination of Body Weight in Philippine Carabao-Murrah Crossbred Buffaloes Using External Body Measurements

Elva R. Del Pilar | Conrado A. Valdez | Jesus Augustus Cesar G. Flor | Arnel N. Del Barrio

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

 

Abstract:

Fifty-nine female and fifty male Philippine Carabao-Murrah crossbred buffaloes with age ranging from 6 months to 15 years were weighed and measured to determine the relationship between body weight and body measurements. Measurements were taken on heart girth, midriff girth, flank girth, height at withers and rump, and width of shoulders and hips. The objective of the study was to develop a formula that could be used to estimate the body weight of crossbred buffaloes by using certain body measurements. Statistical analysis showed that for all sample population, heart girth (r = 0.91), flank girth (r = 0.87) and midriff girth (r = 0.86) were highly correlated to body weight Prediction equation for the estimation of weight was derived using simple and multiple regression analyses. Simple regression analysis for all animal samples regardless of sex: and age shows that heart girth (r2 = 0.83) when used in an equation alone can predict the actual weight of an animal with certain degree of accuracy. If two parameters were considered in estimation of weight the best parameter to use are heart girth and flank girth (R2 = 0.84). For Simplicity and practicality, the equation derived from simple regression analysis is preferred. This will require less tedious work because only one body measurement is required. Body Weight = -522.73 + 4.93. Heart Girth is the most preferred equation for estimation of body weight for both sex groups with r2 = 0.83. Certain factors must be considered in using this equation. The predicted model may be satisfactorily applied only within the observed range of values and can be used to estimate the body weight of Philippine Carabao-Murrah crossbred buffaloes in the absence of a suitable weighing scale.