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Prediction of body dimensions of Mule and Scottish Blackface ewes from measurement of body weight

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

T. J. Sharples  and
J. Dumelow
T. J. Sharples
Affiliation:
Farm Buildings Development Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Coley Park, Reading RG1 6DT
J. Dumelow
Affiliation:
Farm Buildings Development Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Coley Park, Reading RG1 6DT
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Abstract

The body dimensions and live weight of 126 Mule (Bluefaced Leicester × Scottish Blackface) and Scottish Blackface ewes were measured during the 1986/87 housing season. Body dimensions included: head and neck length, body length, diagonal body length, height to withers, height to rump, girth at widest point, heart girth, width at widest point and width at shoulders. It was found that most body dimensions varied greatly with body weight. However, some body dimensions such as head length were found to be independent of weight within the weight range studied. Prediction equations are presented for each body dimensions for unshorn sheep.

These predictions can be used as a basis for the design of sheep housing, for example, trough space allowances, design of feeders or as a biological basis for space allowance.

Keywords

body measurementsbody weightScottish Blackfacesheep housing
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , June 1990 , pp. 491 - 495
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1990

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References

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