title: Prediction of body weight from body measurements in grass cutters.
abstract: In order to predict the body weight of grass cutters from linear body measurements, the weights and measurements of 50 intensively managed female grass cutters aged 5 months were fitted into linear, quadratic and cubic regression models. Highly significant (p < 0.01) R (2) values ranging from 74 to 98% were obtained indicating that all body measurements were good predictors of body weight. Although quadratic and cubic models gave slightly higher R (2) values than linear models, it is recommended that farmers should use a simple linear equation based on tail length or heart girth to predict the body weight of their grass cutters. The recommended equations are (weight in kg) = 0.47 + 0.08 (tail length in cm) and (weight in kg) = 0.32 + 0.07 (heart girth in cm).
authors: Department of Animal Science, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Nigeria. udehifeanyichukwu@ymail.com
authors: Ifeanyichukwu
authors: I
authors: Udeh
authors: Ben-Collins Obiora
authors: BC
authors: Okonta
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012377:Rodentia / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*
references: Trop Anim Health Prod. 2010 Jun;42(5):969-75
references: 20012193