Prediction of body live weight from body length and heart girth of rabbit

Abstract

Linear body measurements of forty – eight (48) domestic rabbits in terms of body length (BDL) and heart girth (HG) were taken along with body weight (BW) and correlated with one another. The body measurements were evaluated as predictor of body weight. The two parameters measured were strongly and positively correlated with one another. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) for body length and heart girth was r = 0.93. The regression equations of body measurements with BLW were positive with higher coefficient of determination (75 – 95%). The body length had a higher strength of prediction (95%) compared to the heart girth, which had lower prediction (75%). The regression or prediction equations generated from body measurements are positive and strong and can be accurately employed to predict the relative body weight of rabbits in the field and market with the use of tape rule without rabbit slaughter.

Key words: Linear body measurements, rabbits, body live weight, prediction value