Path coefficient analysis of body weight and body measurements in Red Sokoto goats (Caprahircus l.) of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Indigenous Red Sokoto goats raised under extensive system of management were used to evaluate the relationship between body weight (BW), head length (HL), head width (HW), height at withers (HAW), chest depth (CD), chest girth (CG), shin circumference (SC) and body length (BL). The objective of the study was to assess variability among body weight and its related characters using path coefficient analysis. Pair wise correlation between body weight and linear body measurements were positive and mostly significant (r= 0.053 - 0.826 in males; -0.020 - 0.667 in females and 0.072 – 0.690 in the combined population; P<0.05, 0.01). Path analysis showed that chest depth, shin circumference and body length made the greatest direct effect on body weight in male, female and the combined population (path coefficient = 0.360, 0.341 and 0.322, respectively) while the least direct effect was observed for height at withers, chest depth and height at withers in the male, female and the combined population (path coefficient = -0.019, -0.104 and 0.001 respectively). The optimum linear regression model with a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.684, 0.635 and 0.628 included forecast indices such as chest depth and body length in the male, head length, height at withers, chest depth, chest girth, shin circumference and body length in the female and head length, head width, chest girth, shin circumference and body length in the combined population. The optimum regression equations could be used in predicting body weight of indigenous goats in the field and for selection purposes.