Development and evaluations of equations to predict empty body weight in pre-weaned hair sheep lambs

ABSTRACT This research aimed to assess the relationships among shrunk body weight (SBW) and empty body weight (EBW) to develop equations to estimate EBW in 121 pre-weaned hair sheep lambs from different genotypes (Pelibuey, n=39; Katahdin, n=27 and crossbred Pelibuey × Black Belly, n=55), sex (non-castrated male, n=65 and female, n=56) and litter size (single, n=42 and double, n=79). Linear model with intercept, Linear model without intercept and exponential regression models were used for data analysis. The correlation coefficients among SBW and EBW was high (r = 0.89). The regression equations had high determination coefficients (r2) of 0.97. The final model fitted to estimate the EBW as a function of SBW was: EBW (kg) = 0.0065 (±0.14*) + 0.88 (±0.0124***) ×SBW, since it presented better fit values and was statistically significant (P<0.001). The equation developed and evaluated in the present study revealed that the linear relationship between SBW and EBW can be used to predict EBW in pre-weaned hair sheep lambs.