Camels and Camelids

USE OF LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS IN ESTIMATING LIVE WEIGHT OF CAMEL (Camelus dromedarius) CALVES IN KENYA

Journal Edition: June 2007
Article DOI:
Published On: 11-10-2018 07:00

S G. Kuria1, R G. Wahome2, C K. Gachuiri3, M M. Wanyoike4 and J N. Mwangi5
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Marsabit Research Station1; P.O.Box 147; Marsabit, Kenya
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Headquarters5; P.O. Box 57811
University of Nairobi, Department of Animal Production2, 3 and 4; P.O.Box 29053, Kabete, Kenya


ABSTRACT


A study was conducted in Kargi and Ngurunit locations of Marsabit district of Kenya to develop a formula for estimating the live weight of camel calves in pastoral situations using linear body measurements. Thoracic girth (TG), hump girth (HG) and shoulder height (SH) measurements were taken using an ordinary tape measure on 64 suckling calves at Kargi and 77 at Ngurunit, aged 3 weeks to 7 months. Analysis of variance revealed that the age and breed influenced (p<0.05) the linear measurements of camel calves. However, sex and study site did not (p>0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that TG had the greatest influence on live weight of calves (p<0.05, r = 0.96). Shoulder height had the least influence (p<0.05, r = 0.82). Regression analysis showed that the combined effect of TG, HG and SH on live weight of calves was higher (p<0.05, R2 = 0.95) than that of the individual variables and combinations of any two of them. The formula; Body weight (kg) = -200.86+105.91 TG(m)+79.63 HG(m)+56.22 SH(m) was developed. This study concluded that given the values of TG, HG and SH, this formula could be used to estimate the live weight of camel calves with 95% accuracy level.
Key words: Body measurements, calves, dromedary, Kenya, weight