Comparative Study of Linear Type Measurements and Functional Type Traits in Two Nigerian Cattle Breeds

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of linear measurements and linear type traits in two breeds of cattle in Nigeria. Observations on linear type traits of 143 cows consisting of 89 Bunaji and 53 Sokoto Gudali breeds were scaled and scored thrice within a period of May to July, 2017. Live weight and nine body linear measurements (height at rump-HR, height at withers-HW, body length BL, hip length LGT, rump length RL, hips width WH, width of pins WP, chest depth-CD, and chest width-CW) and eight linear type traits scores (stature- ST, body depth-BD, rump width-RW, teat length-TL, udder depth-UD, body condition score-BCS, rear legs set (side view), and fore udder attachment) were also measured. Results obtained from linear type measurements showed significant (p<0.05) difference for HW, BL, LGT, RL and CW (129.61, 107.87, 85.37, 40.04 and 35.07), respectively for Bunaji cows against (127.67, 104.02, 82.22, 37.87 and 30.04) for Sokoto Gudali cows. Chest depth was significantly (p<0.05) higher (76.09) in Sokoto Gudali than (74.16) in Bunaji. The coefficients of variation ranged from 3.79 - 13.11, respectfully in Bunaji and 3.92 to 12.30 for in Sokoto Gudali cows. The highest live weight was obtained with Sokoto Gudali (230.61 kg) which differed significantly (p<0.05) from the Bunaji cows (219.05 kg).