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Estimation of the liveweight of working mules in Morocco from their body measurements
Author(s) -
Kay G.,
Pearson R. A.,
Ouassat M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.154.3.85
Subject(s) - girth (graph theory) , mathematics , statistics , body weight , zoology , linear regression , veterinary medicine , biology , medicine , combinatorics , endocrinology
During March 2001, 117 working mules, randomly chosen from four markets in Morocco, were weighed and a series of body measurements recorded; their age and body condition score were also recorded. Linear regression techniques were used to derive a ‘best fit’ equation for predicting liveweight from the other variables. For the working mules weighing between 131 and 391 kg the best prediction equation using two variables was: liveweight (kg) = −33+2−8 × heart girth (cm)+1−36 × length (cm). Other prediction equations available for estimating the liveweight of equidae were tested on the data, but in all cases they significantly overestimated the weights of the Moroccan mules.