Study of body measurements and components of variance for various body measurements of goats found in Southern Punjab

Abstract

Variance components are estimated to further compute genetic parameters, and these components reflect variation of traits as well as their transferability to the next generation. This study was conducted to estimate variance components for different body measurements in Teddy goats in the southern Punjab. Data were subjected to mixed model analysis using ASReml software where restricted maximum likely hood procedure was adopted. These body measurements included diagonal body length, withers height, head length, neck length, ear length, ear width, tail length, distance between ears, and canon circumference. Body measurements were recorded using tailor tape and live weight will be measured by spring balance. The following form of animal model was applied; Y_ijklm= YOB_i+ SOB_j + Sex_k + TOB_l + A +Ԑ_ijklm.. The estimates for variance components were used to compute genetic parameters.