Assessment of Morphometric Traits and Structural Indices of Shaka Cattle Reared in Shaka Zone, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

The study encompassed quantitative traits of the Shaka cattle reared in the study area. The study encompassed both qualitative and quantitative parameters which were taken from 240 cows and 120 bulls from randomly slected120 households. The means for the quantitative traits were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range test, the values were considered significant at P<0.05 . The results of morphometrical measurements of bulls reared at Masha district had wider (P<0.05) values for their pelvic width and the Chest Depth for the bulls aged ≥ 7 years was higher (P<0.01. While the canon bone circumference was also wider when compared to the bulls reared at Anderacha district. Contrary the bulls aged ≤5 years and reared at Anderacha district had higher (P<0.05) Body Weight, Height at Withers and Chest Depth. Morphometrical measurement for cows ≤ 5 year age group and reared at Masha district have longer(P<0.05) Neck Length and for cows ≥ 7 years have wider(P<0.05)Hock Bone Circumference and Pelvic Width. Contrary the cows (aged ≤5 years) raised at Anderacha district has wider (P<0.05) for Cannon Bone Circumference Right, and (P<0.01) for Chest Girth, higher Body Weight, longer Rump Length, right Ear Length and left Ear Length, Neck Circumference and Chest Depth . Among the cows aged ≥7 years longer (P<0.01) face length and deeper (P<0.05) Chest. The results of body indices of both sex indicate that, the cattle is suited for grazing in the forest areas and are of dual type.