Effect of sex and nongenetic factors on birth weight of Sahiwal calves

Abstract

The data on 2,857 Sahiwal calves born at NDRI, Karnal for the period of 1961–2007 were subjected to least squares analysis to find out the impact of important sources of variation on birth weight. The overall least squares mean for birth weight was 21.47±0.05 kg. The sex of the calf, season and period of birth had highly significant influence on birth weight of Sahiwal calves. The average birth weight of male calves (22.27±0.07 kg) was 1.64 kg (7.95%) higher than female calves (20.63±0.07 kg). Calves born during rainy season had significantly lower birth weight (21.19±0.11 kg) in comparison to those born during winter season (21.61±0.08 kg).

Keywords

• Birth weight
• Non-genetic factors
• Sahiwal
• Sex of the calf