Body Measurements and

Estimates
Instructor: Angelika M. Butaslac
AG-CC113 Introduction of Animal Science
BSA 1E
September 28, 2022
I. Objectives
1. To know the importance of body weight measurements.
2. To be familiar with the different body measurements of animals.
3. To estimate the body condition od livestock animals.
 III. Body Measurements and Estimates

• Weight is the most revealing and important factor in

selection and production as well as animal
performance as a whole (Raji et al., 2008). Live
weight is used for body mass because it varies
continuously with feeding, watering, dropping,
urinating, breathing and etc.
 Some of the factors to consider on why weight is
crucial in animals are:
• Weight is very effective in assessing the reproductive efficiency and growth
performance in animals.
• It can be used in determining the health status of an animal when measured in
relation to its age.
• In addition, weight can also be used in measuring the correct dose of therapeutic
pharmaceutical to treat animal diseases, to avoid the risk of underdosing or
overdosing.
• Weight can be used to determine the correct amount of feed an animal can get, to
avoid underfeeding or overfeeding.
• It also allows you to determine the possible values of the live animal in relation to
the market price.
• Weighing also helps in determining the weaning time of an animal.
Different methods used to measure body
weight
• The most common methods to measure body weight are:
1. The electronic scale.
2. The use of weight band.
3. Height, width and heart girth.

* The important thing to keep in mind is that weight is crucial for all farmers
to avoid the loss of money, it assists in making decisions for breeding,
feeding and veterinary service provision and the use of body measurement
is more practical, faster, easier and cheaper especially for those farmers that
have access to low capital, with little education and minimum supervision.
• Electronic scale
Electronic scales are the most
commonly used method to
determine the weight of animal,
which has been used across the
world on different animals and
species.
• Weight band
It’s a tape/belt that is placed
around the body parts of an
animal that measures and
converts lengths (cm) to kilograms
(kg). Weight bands have been
used on different animal species
namely: sheep, goat, beef and
dairy cattle.
• Height, width and heart girth.
Height, width and heart girth are often used to predict live weight in
cattle. The heart girth tape helps to empower the farmers with
knowledge about the value of their animals which then improves
trade, their economic situation and livestock improvement.

• Schaeffer's formula: The equation used for calculating live weight

was W = (L × G2)/300, where W is body weight in lbs, L is length of the
animal from point of shoulder to pin bone in inches, and G is the
chest girth of the animal in inches.
HORSE
HORSE
COW

Heart girth (inches) X Heart girth

(inches) X Body Length(inches) /
300 = Animal weight in pounds
 GOAT

Heart girth (inches) X Heart girth

(inches) X Body Length(inches) / 300 =
Animal weight in pounds
 SWINE

Heart girth (inches) X Heart girth (inches) X

Body Length(inches) / 400 = Animal weight in
pounds
Body Condition Scores
• Body condition scoring is a management tool designed to assess body
reserves or fat accumulation of an animal.
• It is a great method for critically examining the nutritional status of
your herd.
• Body condition scoring is a hands-on assessment that uses a
numerical rating system based on the feel of the animal rather than
descriptions based simply on a visual appraisal.
IV. Evaluation
• Sample computation on body weight of swine fattener.
Given: Heart Girth – 44 inches
Body length – 39 inches
Solutions:
HG = 44 X 44 = 1,936 inches X 39 = 75,504 inches
75,504 / 400 = 188.76 lbs.
Convert to kg: 1 kg
188.76 lbs = ----------- = 85.8 kgs
2.2 lbs