THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXTERNAL BODY DIMENSIONS AND BODY WEIGHT OF MALE SAKUB SHEEP AT DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL AGES

Abstract

Sakub sheep are a type of local Indonesian livestock which is starting to be widely cultivated in Brebes Regency. The productivity of Sakub sheep can be assessed based on the appearance of livestock production, namely external body dimensions (chest girth, body length, shoulder height) and body weight. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the relationship between external body dimensions and body weight of male Sakub sheep. The research was conducted using 118 male Sakub sheep (59 lambs and 59 rams) with purposive random sampling at October-December 2023 in Pandansari Village, Paguyangan District and Wanareja Village, Sirampog District, Brebes Regency, Central Java. The number of research samples was determined using the Harry King Nomograph formula. The research data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. External body dimensions (chest girth, body length, shoulder height) have a very strong and significant relationship, can be used as predictors in estimating body weight of male Sakub sheep. Chest girth and body length are significant body measurements in explaining and predicting body weight of male Sakub sheep, while shoulder height is not significant. Body length is the most significant body measurement in explaining and predicting body weight of male Sakub sheep at lambs, while chest girth at rams