A Study on Live Weight Estimation Using Body Measurements in Hair Goats

This study aimed to estimate the body weight of hair goats of various ages during the mating period using body measurements. Age-based regression prediction models were developed using the stepwise regression method. The study involved 205 hair goats from four farms under extensive conditions. The least squares mean values for withers height, back height, rump height, chest girth, chest depth, body length, and live weight were 81.05 cm, 77.24 cm, 79.84 cm, 88.74 cm, 32.71 cm, 83.56 cm, and 58.61 kg, respectively. Given that the goats differed in age, four distinct age groups were established (2, 3, 4, and ≥5 years), and separate regression models were defined for each group. High positive phenotypic correlation coefficients of 0.917, 0.834, 0.883, 0.817, and 0.817 were observed for the 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 age groups, respectively. Among the prediction equations, the highest level of accuracy (R² = 0.87) was achieved with the second regression equation for the 2-year age group, while the lowest accuracy (R² = 0.67) was found in the regression equation designed for the 5-year age group This study demonstrated that body weight estimation based on body measurements in hair goats can be performed using regression models.