The influence of Season and Location on Body Condition Score and Weight of Oxen in Ginchi Watershed, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of season on body condition score and weight of oxen at Ginchi watershed in West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, central Ethiopia. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the oxen in the study area. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The overall average body weight (BW) of oxen in the watershed at the end of March, end of May and end of September was 272.2±2.1, 264.2±1.9 and268±2.3 kg, respectively. The average body condition score (BCS) of oxen in the watershed were 5.6 points (M+) at the end of March, 5.3 points (M) at the end of May and 5.4 points (M) at the end of September. There was a decline and rise in average BW and BCS between different seasons of measurements. For the watershed, average BW at the end of March was significantly higher than end of May (p<0.01). There was a significant difference between BCS at the end of March and end of May (P<0.05). In land type A, BW of oxen were significantly (P<0.05) better in March than September and May. At land type B, average BW was highest for March (P<0.05) and lowest for May, September average BW being intermediate. Body condition score at watershed level was significantly higher (P<0.05) in March. At land type A, BCS of oxen were significantly (P < 0.01) better in March compared to May and September. In land type C, oxen had significantly higher average BCS at the end of March (P<0.05) than May and was significantly (p < 0.05) better in September compared to May. It can be concluded that, it is difficult to make any meaningful correlations between the feed availability and oxen BCS and BW since the magnitude of the impact of traction on the BCS and BW and the household feed allowance was not certainly known.