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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
general
Non-genetic factors affecting grasscutter production traits. 1. Growth traits
World Applied Sciences Journal, Volume 18, No. 10, Year 2012
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Description
This study was conducted at the grasscutter section of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, to estimate effects of non-genetic factors on growth traits. Data consisted of records of 502 kids born from 136 does and 40 sires from 2006 to 2010. Feed intake increased (P<0.01) with increasing parity and years, whilst feed efficiency declined (P<0.01) with years. Animals consumed less (P<0.01) feed in the dry season compared to the rainy season. Increased litter size resulted in decreased body weight (P<0.01) and growth rate (P<0.05) from birth to six months, after which the effect diminished (P>0.05). Males were significantly heavier (P<0.05) and grew faster (P<0.01) than females from weaning to adulthood. Body weight and growth rate increased significantly with increasing years (P<0.05). Animals that were conceived in the rainy season had heavier (P<0.01) weights at sexual maturity and grew faster (P<0.01) than those conceived during the dry season and those that were born in the dry season grew faster (P<0.05) at the age of 4-8 months than those born in the rainy season. It was concluded that the non-genetic factors influenced the traits studied; so appropriate adjustments must be made when estimating genetic values for a breeding programme in grasscutter. © IDOSI Publications, 2012.
Authors & Co-Authors
Annor, S. Y.
Ghana, Winneba
University of Education
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
United States, Raleigh
Nc State University
Ahunu, Benjamin Kwadjo
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Aboagye, Gertrude S.
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Boa-Amponsem, K.
Ghana, Achimota
Csir - Animal Research Institute Ghana
Cassady, Joseph P.
United States, Raleigh
Nc State University
Statistics
Citations: 5
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.5829/idosi.wasj.2012.18.10.1283
ISSN:
18184952
e-ISSN:
19916426
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
Ghana
Participants Gender
Female