Open AccessA STUDY OF GROWTH RATE OF WADARA CALVES IN THE SUB-SAHELIAN REGION OF BORNO STATE
Author(s) -
J. A. Ibeawuchi,
I. D. Mohammed
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v16i.1914
Subject(s) - zoology , body weight , birth weight , biology , weight gain , livestock , demography , pregnancy , ecology , endocrinology , sociology , genetics
Data on birth weight and growth rate from birth to 12 months of age of 90 Wadara calves maintained at the University of Maiduguri Livestock Farm from 1980 - 1987 period were studied. Mean birth weight was 25.5±2.6kg; 26.7 ±2.04kg for 40 males and 24.3±3.19kg for 50 females. The linear regression function was fitted on monthly body weight in two parts: 0-6 months and 6-12 months. Maximum gain in body weight was attained during 6 to 12 months of age in the male (8.30±0.50kg) and 0 to 6 months in the female (0.54±1.07kg). The difference in the rate of gain between the periods to 6 and 6 to 12 months in each of the sexes was highly significant (P< 0.01). Body weights at birth and at various ages were higher (P < 0.05) for the male than the female calves. The relative growth rate was rapid in both sexes during the first 3 months and was appreciable to the 7th month of age before declining progressively. The value in the first quarter was 18.0± 1.86 and 20.2 ± 1.60 percent for the male and female calves respectively.