Abstract
The study was carried out at the poultry section of the Department of Animal Science farm, University of Education Winneba (Mampong - Ashanti campus, Ghana) from July, 2018 to September, 2018. Data were collected from fifty randomly selected and tagged birds. The data were collected weekly for eight weeks., Head length (HL), Beak length (BL), Body length (BL), Wing length (WL), shank length (SL), shank circumference(SC) and height(H) were taken randomly on five birds in each replicate at a day in every two weeks using tape measure and Vernier calipers. The data collected were analyzed using simple linear regression analysis. The results from the study indicated that, all linear body measurements were significantly (P<0.01) effected for the model, intercepts and slopes of the regression lines with linear response with the best predictor of body weight indicated for shank circumference. It was concluded from the study that; linear body measurements could be used to predict the body weight of broiler chickens. It is recommended that in areas, especially rural areas, where weighing balance or scale may not be readily available, a tailor’s tape can be used to measure linear body parameters and thereafter used to estimate body weight of chickens from the predictive equation.
Highlights
The use of linear body measurements from farm animals could serve as a basis in poultry and livestock production for pricing of farm animals and for selection of chicks for breeding
It was concluded from the study that; linear body measurements could be used to predict the body weight of broiler chickens
The present study differs from the findings of [3] who reported that, the coefficient of determination introduced into the body weight of the Nigerian local chicken is 79% and a very good predictor in determining the body weight of chicken
Summary
The use of linear body measurements from farm animals could serve as a basis in poultry and livestock production for pricing of farm animals and for selection of chicks for breeding. The relationship existing among linear body parameters provides useful information on the performance and carcass value of animals [6]. The use of linear body measurements to determine the weight of some chicken strains in Iraq has been reported [1]. Evaluation of body weight and body linear measurements of broad and narrow helmeted French broiler guinea fowl in the semi-arid condition of Nigeria has been reported [4]. There is limited information on the use of morphometrics to determine the body weight of Cobb broiler chicken in Ghana and necessitates this study. The purpose of the study was to predict the weight of Cobb broiler chicken using linear body measurements
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