Prediction of Live Body weight of Sudanese Goat Kids from Body Size Measurements

This study was conducted to bring out a formula that will be used in predicting live body weight (LBW) of goat kids. Seventy-eight Sudanese indigenous local breed of goats bought from markets in Khartoum State with body weights between 8-15 kg and the ages of 4-8 months were used in this study. The parameters used includes measurements of heart girth (cm), height at withers (cm), height at back (cm) and body length (cm). The study revealed that heart girth measurements could be useful in estimation of live weight of goat kids in markets. The regression analysis of body weight on heart girth had highest coefficient of determination (R2) followed by wither height. The prediction of body weight of goats kids in the markets can be based on y=0.002 x 2.85, where y and x are body weight and heart girth respectively. Equations presented here can be used to predict live body weight (LBW) of goat kids of Sudanese indigenous local breed in Khartoum State markets or field studies.