A recursive path model for estimation of the live weight using some body measurements in Awassi sheep

Abstract

Aim of this study was to investigate direct, indirect and total effects of body measurements on live weight in Awassi sheep and to derive prediction equations for estimation of the live weight. Live weight, head length, body length, withers height, chest depth, chest width and rump height measurements of 270 Awassi sheep at the age of 2-4 years raised at a private farm in Eskişehir Province, Turkey was used. A recursive path model was established to estimate the live weight of the Awassi sheep using these body measurements. Results showed that there was a significant indirect effect of withers height, rump height and body length and significant direct effect of chest depth, chest width and head length on live weight. The strongest predictor of live weight was chest depth, followed by chest width and head length. In conclusion, the equations given in this study could serve as a practical tool to predict the live weight of Awassi sheep.

Keywords

• Awassi sheep,live weight,path analysis,structural equation modeling

İvesi koyunlarında bazı vücut ölçüleri yardımıyla canlı ağırlığın tahmin edilmesinde kullanılabilecek rekursif bir path modeli

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, İvesi ırkı koyunlarda çeşitli vücut ölçülerininin canlı ağırlık üzerine doğrudan, dolaylı ve toplam etkilerini incelemek ve bu ölçülerden yararlanarak canlı ağırlığı tahmin edecek bir model oluşturmaktır. Bu amaçla, Eskişehir ilinde özel bir çiftlikte yetiştirilen 2-4 yaşlarındaki toplam 270 İvesi ırkı koyunun canlı ağırlığı, baş uzunluğu, gövde uzunluğu, cidago yüksekliği, göğüs derinliği, göğüs genişliği ve sağrı yüksekliği ölçümleri elde edilmiştir. Bu ölçümler yardımıyla canlı ağırlığı tahmin etmek için rekursif bir path modeli oluşturulmuştur. Elde edilen sonuçlar, cidago yüksekliği, sağrı yüksekliği ve vücut uzunluğunun vücut ağırlığına dolaylı; göğüs genişliği, göğüs derinliği ve baş uzunluğunun ise doğrudan etkisinin olduğunu göstermiştir. Canlı ağırlığın en güçlü belirleyicisi göğüs derinliği, ardından göğüs genişliği ve baş uzunluğu olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışmada verilen denklemlerin, İvesi koyunlarının canlı ağırlığını tahmin etmek için pratik bir araç olarak kullanılabileceği ortaya konmuştur.

Keywords

• İvesi koyunu,canlı ağırlık,path analizi,yapısal eşitlik modeli

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