Estimation Of Body Weight From Linear Body Measurements In Two Commercial Meat-Type Chicken

Abstract

The prediction of body weight from body girth, keel length and thigh length was studied using one hundred Ross and one hundred Anak Titan broilers. Data were collected on the birds from day-old to 9 weeks of age. Body measurement was regressed against body weight at 9 weeks of age using simple linear and non-linear (exponential and double-log) regression analyses. The relationship between body weight and body measurements were highly significant (P < 0.001). The coefficient of determination varied from 82.07 to 99.25%, 61.57 to 98.21% and 80.78 to 98.67% for body girth, keel length and thigh length respectively. Body weight was better predicted singly using body girth. The relationship was best described by the double-log function. The result of this study showed positive relationship between body weight and body measurements. It can therefore be concluded that body weight in commercial broilers could be predicted easily by farmers from any given value of the three body measurements without the use of sophisticated instrument

Keywords: Body weight, body measurement, regression function, commercial broilers.

Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 57-59