Regression tree analysis for predicting body weight of Nigerian Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

Abstract

Morphometric parameters and their indices are central to the understanding of the type and function of livestock. The present study was conducted to predict body weight (BWT) of adult Nigerian Muscovy ducks from nine (9) morphometric parameters and seven (7) body indices and also to identify the most important predictor of BWT among them using regression tree analysis (RTA). The experimental birds comprised of 1,020 adult male and female Nigerian Muscovy ducks randomly sampled in Rain Forest (203), Guinea Savanna (298) and Derived Savanna (519) agro-ecological zones. Result of RTA revealed that compactness; body girth and massiveness were the most important independent variables in predicting BWT and were used in constructing RT. The combined effect of the three predictors was very high and explained 91.00% of the observed variation of the target variable (BWT). The optimal regression tree suggested that Muscovy ducks with compactness >5.765 would be fleshy and have highest BWT. The result of the present study could be exploited by animal breeders and breeding companies in selection and improvement of BWT of Muscovy ducks.