Effect of Season, Birth Weight and Weaning Weight on the onset of Puberty of Primiparous Friesian X Bunaji Heifers

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of season, birth weight and weaning weight on the onset of puberty of 31 crossbred (Friesian & Bunaji) calves born from 1999 to 2005. The parameters considered were season of birth, birth weight, weaning weight body weight from 12-27 month of age and age and weight at puberty. Birth weight and weaning weight of the calves were grouped into intervals and its effects were studied on both the age and weight at puberty. Season showed a significant (P<0.05) effect on birth weight, weaning weight and age at puberty with late rainy season having the highest birth weight and weaning weight. The result showed that birth weight and weaning weight had a significant (P<0.05) influence on age and weight at puberty while weaning weight only significantly influenced weight at puberty. It can be concluded that season of birth significantly influenced birth weight, weaning weight and age at puberty while birth weight and weaning weight showed significant effect on age and weight at puberty.