Relationship of body weight with linear body measurements in Rohilkhand local goats

The present research work was conducted at LPM section, IVRI, Izatnagar to record the morphometric parameters in these local goats and to establish a relationship between live weight and certain body measurements which would help in genetic improvement of this local breed. The mean body weight at birth, 3 months, 9–12 months, 15–18 months and > 18 months were 2.08± 0.32, 7.55± 0.46, 12.08± 0.40, 17.38± 0.34 and 18.35± 0.24 kg, respectively. The mean chest girth in these age groups were found to be 29.37± 0.50, 45.69± 0.71, 55.29± 0.63, 61.39± 0.53 and 61.04± 0.38 cm, respectively. The mean body length were found to be 24.87± 0.44, 41.19± 0.58, 47.39± 0.51, 54.01± 0.43 and 54.00± 0.31 cm, respectively. The mean height at withers in these groups were 32.13± 0.45, 46.16± 0.64, 53.36± 0.56, 57.38± 0.48 and 57.69± 0.34 cm, respectively. There was positive and significant correlation (P< 0.01) at the time of birth between birth weight and chest girth, body length, height at withers and pelvic width which was 0.579, 0.357, 0.682 and 0.361, respectively. Similarly, a positive and significant (P< 0.01) correlation was found between mature body weight and chest girth, body length, height at withers, neck length and pelvic width and it was found to be 0.615, 0.319, 0.439, 0.430 and 0.614, respectively.