MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND STRUCTURAL INDICES OF INDIGENOUS CATTLE IN HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
Abstract
The study was conducted to morphologically characterize indigenous cattle breeds and to develop structural indices to assess type and function of indigenous cattle in Soro and Misha districts of Hadiya zone Southern Ethiopia. A total of 660 mature cattle (480 cows and 180 bulls) were selected for morphological description. Data was collection by using visual observation and linear measurements and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20), and compared at the significance level P<0.05. The result showed individual variation among cattle in both qualitative and quantitative traits. Most of the cattle in the study area have plain coat colour pattern, curved horn with upward orientation, small humped and straight facial head profile. The overall results of morphometrical measurements in Soro district had higher (P<0.05) values for their body weight and the chest girth for the bulls in age class 1 and 2PPI. However, body weight, chest girth, height at withers and height at rump were higher for Misha district when compared to those bulls at Soro district for age class 3 and 4PPI. For the cows within age group 1 and 2PPI reared at Soro district have higher (P<0.05) body weight, chest girth, height at withers, height at rump and rump length. The results of body indices of the bulls in Misha district were higher values (p<0.05) for body index for age class 1 and 2PPI and cephalic index and over increase index for age class 3 and 4PPI. While, body ratio was higher (p<0.05) for Misha district for age class 3 and 4 PPI. In contrast, body indices for cows in Soro district was higher (p<0.05) for height index, rump length index, body index, body weight index and body ratio, in contrasting cephalic index, body index, over increase index, body weight index, body ration and height slope were higher(P<0.01) for Misha district for age class 3 and 4PPI. The values for estimation of body weight using linear body measurements indicated that chest girth was best predictor body weight. In general, cattle linear body measurements in the current environmental condition were comparable with other indigenous breeds. Therefore, designing appropriate management and breed improvement programme with the participation of the community are critical to improve the breed. Morphometrical traits of the breed have to be complemented by genetic characterization to fully exploit the potential of the breed.
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9935-9
PMid:21805229
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