RESUMO
This study was carried out with the aim of applying morphometric traits and structural indices in assessing the type and function of indigenous cattle in the Gidi-Bench (GB) and Debub-Bench (DB) districts of the Bench-Sheko zone. The study included two hundred forty (240) households (120 from each district). About 660 matured cattle (60 male and 600 female) were selected for morphometric measurement, from which 14 structural indices were computed. For cattle linear body measurement, 15 characters were assessed, whereas 16 traits were considered for qualitative observation. The finding indicated that, except for tail length (TL), cattle in DB had higher (p < 0.05) values for Body Weight (BW), chest girth (CG), head length (HDL), height at wither (HW), Body length (BL), Horn length (HL), height at rump (HAR), height at rump (RL), RW (rump width), Neck Width (NW), Neck length (NL) Chest depth (CD), ear length (EL) and neck circumference (NC) than those of GB district. GB bulls had higher (p < 0.05) Body Index (BI), cephalic index (CI), and Balance (Ba) than DB districts. Conversely, the Height Index (HI), Rump Length Index (RLI), Body Index (BI), Body Weight Index (BWI), Body Ratio (BR), and Height Slope (HS) of DB bulls were higher (p < 0.05) than those of GB districts. The HI, RLI, BWI, Ba, and BR values were higher (p < 0.05) for cows of DB than those of GB districts. However, cows in GB had higher (p < 0.05) Length Index_1 (LI_1), CI, Pelvic Index (PI), Over increase Index (OVII), Length Index_1 (LI_2), and HS values compared to DB district. Therefore, morphometric features and body indices revealed that cattle reared in DB could be categorized as a small-sized and angular-shaped body frame with the ability to graze in rough terrain. In contrast, cattle in GB were categorized under small-sized animals whose morphology corresponds to dual-type, specifically bulls with the light draft.
RESUMO
The study encompassed quantitative traits of the Shaka cattle reared in Shaka zone, Anderacha and Masha weredas of south western, Ethiopia. The study covered quantitative parameters which were taken from 240 cows and 120 bulls from randomly slected120 households. The means for the quantitative traits were compared using Duncan's Multiple Range test, the values were considered significant at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. The results of morphometrical measurements of bulls reared at Masha wereda had wider (P < 0.05) values for their pelvic width and the Chest Depth for the bulls aged ≥7 years was higher (P < 0.01). While the canon bone circumference was also wider when compared to the bulls reared at Anderacha wereda. Contrary the bulls aged ≤5 years and reared at Anderacha wereda had higher (P < 0.05) for Body Weight, Height at Withers and Chest Depth. Morphometrical measurement for cows ≤5 year age group and reared at Masha wereda have longer (P < 0.05) Neck Length and for cows ≥7 years have wider (P < 0.05) Hock Bone Circumference and Pelvic Width. Contrary the cows aged ≤5 years raised at Anderacha wereda has wider (P < 0.05) for Cannon Bone Circumference, and (P < 0.01) for Chest Girth, higher Body Weight, Rump Length, Ear Length, Neck Circumference and Chest Depth. Among the cows aged ≥7 years have longer (P < 0.01) face length and deeper (P < 0.05) Chest. There is a significant difference in the length index (LI2) and body ratio (BR) (P < 0.05) throughout the research locations, with Anderacha wereda having the higher result, and Masha wereda having the higher depth index (DI) and transverse pelvic index (TPI) (P < 0.05).The results of body indices of both sex indicate that, the cattle is suited for grazing in the forest areas and are of dual type.
