Abstract
The objective of the study was to describe the phenotypic characteristics of Arab Zebu in Abeche city. A longitudinal survey was administered to 26 breeders to take body measurements, and identify the physical characteristics of 112 adult cattle (100 cows and 12 bulls, 4 years and over). The information sought was: the breeder’s profile (name, sex, age, region, ethnicity, marital status, schooling and main activities), the animal descriptions (sex, coat, horns, profile of head, back, and rump, hump and dewlap size, scabbard size in males and the tail length) and some quantitative parameters (live weight, age, length, and width of head, and rump, length of horn, tail and trunk, height at withers, and thoracic circumference). After analysis of the data collected with the XLSTAT software (9.1.6), it appears that the breeders are mostly married men, of Arab ethnic group, uneducated, and practicing the white-coated breeding. Arab cattle are mostly white coated; straight in profile, straight back, flat rump, poorly developed hump and dewlap, long tail and small cupped horns. Males have an average weight of 403 kg and females, 297 kg. The height at the withers is on average 1.16m with 1.22m in males and 1.14m in females. Chest circumference, and live weight are strongly correlated. Studies in-depth on the phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of this breed will make a complete description of all the parameters and establish a suitable barymetry formula.
Published in
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Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 5)
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DOI
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10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
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Page(s)
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135-143 |
Creative Commons
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Copyright
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Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group
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Keywords
Arab Zebu, Barymetry, Phenotype, Abeche, Chad
1. Introduction
A Sahelian country with an agro-pastoral vocation, Chad bases its economy largely on the development of livestock products. The livestock sector, which represents 53% of rural GDP and provides a livelihood for approximately 40% of the rural population
, is home to a significant number of livestock. Chad's livestock population stands at 137,664,217 head of cattle, including 33,948,191 cattle
. Approximately 80% of Chad's livestock is governed by highly diversified mobile pastoral systems that are largely dependent on renewable natural resources
. In rural areas, livestock farming is the main source of employment and the only source of income distribution for the most disadvantaged populations and the only way of exploiting semi-arid areas
. Considering its significant contribution to the national economy and in improving the living conditions of populations, livestock farming, as an essential tool in the fight against poverty in Chad, constitutes a guarantee for food security
. Eastern Chad is one of the major livestock farming areas in the country. The cattle herd in this region is mainly transhumant but sedentary livestock farming exists, particularly on the outskirts of cities. Due to its small size, this livestock farming is very little studied and therefore little known
[6] | Delafosse, A., Goutard F., Thebaut, E. Epidémiologie de la tuberculose et de la brucellose des bovins en zone périurbaine d’Abéché. Revue Elev. Méd. Vet. Pays trop. 2002, 55(1), 5-13. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.9846 |
[6]
. The province of Ouaddaï has 2,119,020 heads of cattle
. The Arab Zebu is a Sahelian cattle par excellence that represents 80% of the Chadian cattle herd
. It is a mixed breed, rustic and unimproved. High animal mortality due to epidemic diseases and the pasture losses accentuate transhumance to agricultural areas or the animal abroad sales. All these upheavals associated with the introduction of exotic breeds lead to erosion and loss of biodiversity
[8] | FAO. L’état des ressources zoogénétiques pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture dans le monde, édité par Barbara Rischkowsky et Dafydd Pilling. Rome, 2008, 577 p. https://www.fao.org/4/a1250f/a1250f.pdf |
[8]
. Therefore, the phenotypic characteristics of cattle are essential to know to explore the possibilities of improving sustainable productivity and conserving cattle breeds. Knowledge of the physical and weight characteristics will make it possible to distinguish the Arab Zebu. This is what justifies this study. The objective of this study was to determine the morphobiometric and weight characteristics of the Arab Zebu in Abeche.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Area
The study took place in Abeche city, capital of Ouaddaï Province and capital of Ouara Department. Located in the East of Chad. It comprises seven (7) districts and stretches between 13°48'584"N latitude and 20°58'139"E longitude. The study area is influenced by an intertropical climate with a 9-month dry season and a 3-month rainy season. Average rainfall is approximately 300mm per year and the average annual temperature is approximately 28°C, with variations in cold and hot periods.
2.2. Materials
The study was conducted through a survey form among 26 breeders and involved 112 adult Arab Zebus (100 females and 12 males). Various measurements were taken on the animals, as well as their weight, using a zoometric ribbon. An Android phone was also used to take images of animals for morphological description.
2.3. Data Collection
The study took place in Abeche city from June 4 to July 3, 2022. Survey forms were used to collect data on the breeders and their animals. The information sought included the breeder's profile (name, sex, age, religion, ethnic group, marital status, schooling, and main activities), animal descriptions (sex, coat color, horns, head profile, back profile, and rump, size of the hump and dewlap, coat color and hooves, shape and ear orientations, the sheath size in males, and the tail length), and several quantitative parameters (live weight, age, length and width of the head and rump, the horn length, tail, and trunk, height at the withers, and thoracic circumference).
The goats (≥ 4 years of age) were measured and observed. The measurements took place in the morning, before feeding and watering the animals. The animals were restrained by the breeders or herdsmen by grabbing the animals by their horns. Measurement data were collected using the traditional tape measure method on animals positioned in a standing position on horizontal surfaces.
The measurements taken were as follows:
Height at Withers (HW): vertical distance between the top of the withers and the ground;
Trunk Length (TL): length between the point of the shoulder and the point of the buttocks;
Thoracic circumference (ThC): chest circumference behind the withers, passing through the girth loop;
Rump Length (RL): distance between the points of the hips and the points of the buttocks;
Rump Width (RW): distance between the outer points of the hips;
Head Length (HL): distance between the top of the head and the tip of the muzzle;
Head Width (HWid): distance between the two eyes;
Horn length (HoL): distance from the root of the horn to its tip, following the outward curvature;
Tail Length (TaL): distance from the tail attachment to its tip.
The live weight of animals is determined by measuring the thoracic circumference, which allows the corresponding weight in kg on the zoometric ribbon: each chest circumference corresponds to a given live weight in kg.
The animal ages were determined reading the incisors (following the guidelines described above).
2.4. Data Analysis
XL-STAT software (9.1.6) was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the dispersion parameters (mean, standard deviation, range, and frequency), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare means. The parameters measured were: trunk length, height at withers, thoracic circumference, rump length, rump width, head length, head width, horn length, and tail length. Means were compared using the Newman-Keuls test, and correlations between several numerical parameters were established using the Pearson two-tailed test at the 5% level.
2.5. Ethical Consideration
The study was conducted with consenting breeders following a research authorization delivered by the Higher National Institute of Sciences and Techniques of Abeche. It was demonstrated that the animal handlings during this study was not likely to harm their physical integrity or the quality of their products (milk and meat).
3. Results
3.1. Breeder Profiles
The study showed that herders have an average age of 52 ± 2.57 years (32 to 92 years) and an average of 8 ± 1 children. The herder profile is presented in
Table 1.
Table 1. Breeder Profiles.
Parameter | Variable | Effective (n) | (%) |
Sex | Male | 25 | 96.15 |
Female | 1 | 3.85 |
Ethnic Group | Arab | 24 | 92.31 |
Maba | 2 | 7.69 |
Schooling | No | 23 | 88.46 |
Yes | 3 | 11.54 |
Marital Status | Married | 24 | 92.31 |
Single | 2 | 7.69 |
Activities | Trade | 12 | 46.15 |
Breeding | 6 | 23.08 |
Agriculture - Breeding | 4 | 15.38 |
Others | 4 | 15.38 |
3.2. Description of Cattle Based on Qualitative Parameters
The general characteristics of the coat of the Arab Zebu cattle in the study area are presented in
Table 2.
Table 2. General Characteristics of the Coat of the Arab Zebu cattle in Abeche, Chad.
Parameter | Coat | Effective (n) | (%) |
Pattern | Simple | 58 | 51.79 |
Combined (variegated) | 28 | 25.00 |
Compound | 26 | 23.21 |
Color | White | 34 | 30.26 |
Mottled | 14 | 12.50 |
Black Piebald | 10 | 8.93 |
Tinted | 10 | 8.93 |
Other | 44 | 39.38 |
The most common coats are simple, followed by the combined (or piebald) coats, and the white color is the most common, followed by the speckled one.
This cattle breed has horned whose characteristics are presented in
Table 3.
Table 3. Horn Characteristics of the Arab Zebu cattle of Abeche, Chad.
Variable | Horn | Effective (n) | % |
Presence | Yes | 111 | 99.11 |
No | 1 | 0.89 |
Orientation | Horizontal | 105 | 94.59 |
Drooping | 6 | 5.41 |
Color | Brown | 58 | 52.25 |
White | 40 | 36.04 |
Black | 13 | 11.71 |
Shape | Cross-section | 68 | 61.26 |
Crescent-shaped | 34 | 30.63 |
Other | 9 | 8.11 |
The majority of Arab cattle in the area have horizontal, brown, cupped horns, followed by white, crescent-shaped horns. The Arab Zebu can also be described by its different profiles (
Table 4).
Table 4. Distribution of the Different Profiles of the Arab Zebu of Abeche, Chad.
Region | Profile | Effective (n) | (%) |
Head | Straight | 107 | 95.54 |
Concave | 1 | 0.89 |
Convex | 4 | 3.57 |
Back | Straight | 110 | 98.21 |
Hollow | 2 | 1.79 |
Rump | Flat | 74 | 66.07 |
Pointed | 38 | 33.93 |
The majority of animals of this breed have a straight head, a straight back, and a flat rump.
The characteristics of the Arab Zebu appendages were also variable (
Table 5).
Table 5. Characteristics of the Appendages (Hump, Dewlap, and Tail) of the Abeche Arab Zebu in Chad.
Region | Hight | Effective (n) | % |
Hump | Little developed | 91 | 81.25 |
Moderately developed | 20 | 17.86 |
Highly developed | 1 | 0.89 |
Dewlap | Little developed | 87 | 77.68 |
Moderately developed | 24 | 21.43 |
Highly developed | 1 | 0.89 |
Tail | Long | 103 | 91.96 |
Medium | 9 | 8.04 |
Most animals have underdeveloped humps and dewlaps, with a long tail.
3.3. Zootechnical Parameters with Numerical Values
A summary of all measurements taken on the Arab Zebu in Abeche city is presented in
Table 6.
Table 6. Quantitative parameters of the Arab Zebu in Abeche City, Chad.
Parameter | Minimum | Average ± SD | Maximum |
Age (year) | 4 | 6.91 ± 0.16 | 14 |
Weight (kg) | 225 | 309.38 ± 5.08 | 473 |
WH (m) | 1.06 | 1.16 ± 0.00 | 1.53 |
TL (m) | 1.12 | 1.25 ± 0.00 | 1.32 |
ThC (m) | 1.35 | 1.54 ± 0.01 | 1.76 |
RL (cm) | 23 | 34.21 ± 0.30 | 42 |
RW (cm) | 22 | 31.76 ± 0.28 | 39 |
HL (cm) | 29 | 35.33 ± 0.29 | 42 |
HW (cm) | 11 | 12.64 ± 0.11 | 16 |
HoL (cm) | 11 | 25.47 ± 0.91 | 69 |
TaL (cm) | 0.90 | 1.06 ± 0.00 | 1.19 |
3.4. Correlations Between Some Quantitative Parameters
Some correlations between different quantitative parameters varied according to sex. Comparing the mean values of certain parameters between the two sexes in Arab cattle in Abeche allowed us to obtain the following result (
Table 7).
Table 7. Variation of Some Quantitative Parameters Between the Sexes of Arab Zebu in Abeche City, Chad.
Sex | Weight (kg) | TL (m) | WH (m) | ThC (m) | HoL (cm) | TaL (m) |
Male | 403.23b | 1.26a | 1.22b | 1.67b | 21.1a | 1.06b |
Female | 297.06a | 1.25a | 1.14a | 1.52a | 26.0a | 1,09a |
Total | 309.38±5,08 | 1.25±0.004 | 1.26±0.003 | 1,54±0.008 | 25.47±0.91 | 1.06±0.00 |
The highest mean values for live weight, withers height, and thoracic circumference were recorded in bulls, and the tail was longest in females (p < 0.05). Horn and trunk length did not vary significantly between sexes (p < 0.05).
The
Figure 1 present the distribution graph of the correlation between certain parameters in Arab Zebu cattle in the study area.
Figure 1. Presents the Correlation Between Weight and Age.
Figure 1. Correlation Between Weight and Age of Arab Zebu cattle in Abeche, Chad.
The correlation between weight and age is extremely low (r = 0.05).
Figure 2. Correlation Between Weight and Withers Height.
The correlation between weight and withers height is shown in
Figure 2.
There is a moderate correlation between weight and withers height (r = 0.55). The correlation between weight and chest circumference is presented by the following distribution (
Figure 3).
Weight and chest circumference are highly correlated (r = 0.97).
Figure 3. Correlation Between Weight and Chest Circumference.
4. Discussion
4.1. Breeder Profile
The results relating to the profile of Arab cattle herders in the study area show that cattle breeding is an activity practiced largely by men (96.43%) aged 32 to 92, the majority of whom are married (93.75%), uneducated (91.07%), and of Arab ethnicity (91.96%). The predominance of male herders is explained by the distribution of domestic tasks within households and by local cultures. The higher proportion of Arab breeders is due to the fact that individuals of this ethnic group are pastoralists. Most engage in trade associated with livestock breeding (40.17%), this to support family needs.
4.2. Description of Animals in Qualitative Parameters
The study of the qualitative parameters of the Arab Zebu in Abeche revealed that the majority of animals had plain coats (51.79%) and were white (30.26%). This result corroborates that of LRVZ
, which indicates that in Eastern Chad, the preference is for white or predominantly white coats, and that this trend is observable in relation to breeders' practices. White coats dominate among the Mysserie Arabs of the East, while Kreda breeders in the Center-West have a preference for reddish brown coats, while among the Djelli breed of Niger, the dominant dirty white coat is dominant
[9] | Yahaya, Z. I., G. K. Dayo, M. Maman, M. Issa and H. Marichatou. Caractérisation morphobiométrique du zébu Djelli du Niger. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 2019, 13(2): 727-744. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v13i2.13 |
[9]
. In contrast, the Ivory Coast zebus have very varied coats ranging from white to black to fawn
[10] | Soukouri, D. P., Loukou, N. E., Yapi-Gnaoré, C. V., Mondeil F., Gnabé, F. Caractérisation phénotypique des bovins à viande (Bos taurus et Bos indicus) au centre (Bouaké) et au nord (Korhogo) de la Cote d’Ivoire. Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA). 2007, 40: 43-53. https://www.fao.org/4/a1128t/a1128t04.pdf. |
[10]
. Most Arab cows in the study area have horns (99.11%), horizontal (94.59%), brown (52.25%), and cupped (61.26%). This is consistent with the results obtained by LRVZ
, which demonstrates that the Arab Zebu has two types of horn: cupped (54.8%) and crescent-shaped (15.7%), with a high rate of illegibility consisting of irregularly oriented horns. This is different from the lyre-shaped horn profile reported in the Djellli breed in Niger
[9] | Yahaya, Z. I., G. K. Dayo, M. Maman, M. Issa and H. Marichatou. Caractérisation morphobiométrique du zébu Djelli du Niger. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 2019, 13(2): 727-744. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v13i2.13 |
[9]
.
The Arab Zebu in Abeche have a straight head profile (95.54%), a straight back profile (98.21%), and a flat rump (66.07%). The hump (81.25%) and dewlap (77.68%) were mostly underdeveloped. The lesser development of the hump alludes to local cattle populations in Togo without humps
[11] | Akouango, P., Mopoundza P., Ewomango, R. P. Etude des mesures des bovins de race N’Dama (Bos taurus) dans les pâturages naturels semi inondés de la ferme d’Abo au Congo Brazzaville. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 2014, 20(3), 3137-3143. http://www.m.elewa.org/JAPS |
[11]
.
The tail is long (91.96%). These results are similar to those obtained by Tacher and Landry
and that Arab Zebu cows have a moderately developed hump in males and a weak hump in females
[13] | Queval, R., Petit, J. P., Hascoet, M. C. Analyse des hémoglobines du zébu arabe (Bos indicus). Revue Elev. Méd. Vet. Pays trop. 1971, 24(1), 47-51. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.7765 |
[13]
. The same characteristics also show similarities to studies conducted by other researchers on local breed cows, respectively the Djellli breed in Niger and the N'Dama bull breed in Senegal
[9] | Yahaya, Z. I., G. K. Dayo, M. Maman, M. Issa and H. Marichatou. Caractérisation morphobiométrique du zébu Djelli du Niger. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 2019, 13(2): 727-744. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v13i2.13 |
[14] | Badji, M. N. Diouf, M. N., Mamadou, C., Baldé, A. T., Sambe, B. S. Diop, M. Sembène, M. Etude Phénotypique des Taurins N’dama du Centre de Recherches Zootechniques de Kolda (Sénégal). European Scientific Journal, 2020. 16(3), 1857 - 7881. http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj. 2020.v16n3p514 |
[15] | Kanh, K. H. M., Soro B., Kouassi, Y. J. M. P., Sokouri D. P. Phenotypic Characterization of Ndama Cattle Breed from the Kolda Region (Senegal) based on Qualitative Parameters. International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences, 2025. 14(1), 94-99. https://doi.org/10.47278/journal.ijab/2024.202 |
[9, 14, 15]
.
4.3. Quantitative Zootechnical Parameters
The study of measurable variables in Arab Zebu cattle from the Abeche reported that males had an average weight of 403.23 kg versus 297.06 kg in females. These results are similar to those of previous studies on the same breed, with 350 to 400 kg for adult males, and 250 to 300 kg for females
. The average weights obtained are higher than those reported for the same breed
. The same authors state that in the extensive system, the live weights of animals vary according to sex and season. This is similar to the results obtained for Massa cattle in the Mayo-Kebbi East province
[17] | Assadi, M. Pratiques d’élevage, caractérisation phénotypique et importance socioculturelle des bovins Massa dans le Mayo-Boneye, Thèse de doctorat, Université de N’Djamena, Tchad. 2022. |
[17]
. However, these results are higher than those obtained for Lagunaire and Muturu bulls in West Africa
[18] | Aka, S., Soro, B., Kanh, M. H. K., Kpandji, I. K., Koffi, M., Sokouri, D. P. Les taurins nains à courtes cornes dans le cheptel bovin ouest africain: Cas des races Lagunaire et Muturu. Revue Marocaine Des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires. 2022, 10(4). https://www.agrimaroc.org/index.php/Actes_IAVH2/article/view/1272 |
[18]
, and lower than those reported in Senegal for the Gobra zebu, in which the bull has a live weight of 577.5 ± 81.32 kg for 393.81 ± 51.69 kg in the cow
[19] | Sambe, B. S., Diouf, M. N., Ciss, M., Baldé, A. T., Badji M., Diop, M., Sembène, M. Phenotypic Characterization of Gobra Zebu Cattle of Centre de Recherches Zootechniques de Dahra. Int. J. Adv. Res. 2019, 7(6), 26-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/9190 |
[19]
.
The average trunk length of males was 1.26 m and that of females was 1.25 m. This difference is not significant, so we can say that the females' bodies are as long as those of the males. The height at the withers in males was on average 1.22 m and 1.14 m in females. This is close to 1.25 to 1.29 m in males and 1.18 to 1.26 m in females of the same breed
[13] | Queval, R., Petit, J. P., Hascoet, M. C. Analyse des hémoglobines du zébu arabe (Bos indicus). Revue Elev. Méd. Vet. Pays trop. 1971, 24(1), 47-51. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.7765 |
[13]
. These average values are higher than those reported in West African bulls
[20] | Soro, B., Sokouri, P. D., Dayo, G. K., N’guetta, A. S. P., Yapi-Gnaoré, C. V. Morphometric and physical characteristics of Baoulé cattle in the” Pays Lobi” of Côte d’Ivoire. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2015, 27, 124. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd27/7/soko27124.html |
[21] | Boma, S., Nuto, Y., Dayo, G. K., Bonfoh, B., N’Feide, T. Caractérisation morpho-biométrique des populations bovines locales sans bosse du Togo. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 2018, 12, 431 – 445. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v12i1.34 |
[22] | Kanh, K. H. M. Caractérisation des systèmes d’élevage et des populations de bovins ndama des régions de Kolda et de Ziguinchor (Sénégal). Thèse de Doctorat, Université Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, 2020. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365186005 |
[20-22]
as well as in Malaysian cattle
[23] | Islam, M. S., Yimer, N., Haron, A. W., Abdullah, F. F. J., Han, M. H. W., Mamat-Hamidi, K., Zawawi, H. B. M. First study on phenotypic and morphological characteristics of Malaysian Kedah-Kelantan cattle (Bos indicus) and method of estimating their body weight. Vet World. 2022), 15(3), 728-736. http://dx.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.728-736 |
[23]
.
The thoracic circumference of males was on average greater than that of females. This justifies the fact that males have a higher live weight than females and confirms the pronounced sexual dimorphism reported by Queval
et al. [13] | Queval, R., Petit, J. P., Hascoet, M. C. Analyse des hémoglobines du zébu arabe (Bos indicus). Revue Elev. Méd. Vet. Pays trop. 1971, 24(1), 47-51. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.7765 |
[13]
.
4.4. Correlations Between Some Zootechnical Parameters
The results of this study demonstrate that in Arab cattle in the study area, the correlation is significant between weight and withers height (r = 0.55) and very pronounced between weight and thoracic circumference (r = 0.97). The strong correlation between weight and thoracic circumference was demonstrated by Delage
et al. [24] | Delage, J., Poly, J., Vissac B. Etude de l’efficacité relative des diverses formules de barymétrie applicables aux bovins. Annales de zootechnie, INRA/EDP Sciences. 1985, 4(3), 219-231. https://hal.science/hal-00886635v1 |
[24]
, and Dodo
et al. [25] | Dodo, K., Pandey, V. S., Illiassou, M. S. Utilisation de la barymétrie pour l’estimation du poids chez le zebu Azawak au Niger. Revue Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays trop., 2001, 54(1), 63-68. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.9808 |
[25]
. The better predictability of thoracic circumference for estimating live weight in African cattle has also been reported by several authors: in the Gobra Zebu in Senegal
, the Azawak Zebu in Mali
[27] | Touré, A., Antoine-Moussiaux, N., Kouriba, A., Leroy, P., Moula, N. Caractérisation zootechnique et formule barymétrique de la race zébu Azawak à Ménaka au nord du Mali. Revue Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays trop., 2017, 70(4), 115-120. http://dx.doi.org/10.19182/remvt.31528 |
[27]
, the N’Dama taurine cattle in Congo Brazzaville
[11] | Akouango, P., Mopoundza P., Ewomango, R. P. Etude des mesures des bovins de race N’Dama (Bos taurus) dans les pâturages naturels semi inondés de la ferme d’Abo au Congo Brazzaville. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 2014, 20(3), 3137-3143. http://www.m.elewa.org/JAPS |
[11]
, and the Goudali Zebu in Cameroon
[28] | Assana, E., Doba, E., Awah-Ndukum, J., Soh, G. B., Mohamadou, A., Mebanga, A. S., Zoli, A. P. Formule de barymétrie pour l’estimation du poids chez les zébus Goudali au Cameroun. Bull. Anim. Halth. Prod. Afr., 2018, 66, 469-480. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11505737 |
[28]
.
5. Conclusions
This study was conducted to phenotypically characterize the Arab Zebu in Abeche and enabled the information collection from breeders and animal data. Cattle breeding in Abeche is a male activity practiced largely by individuals of Arab group ethnic, who associate this activity with trade. The white coat dominates in the Arab Zebu of the study area with a straight head profile, a straight back, a flat rump and a long tail. Males are larger and have the highest live weight. The measurement of the thoracic circumference taken with a metric tape can be used to determine live weight in this breed using the Crevat barymetric formula. In-depth studies on the zootechnical parameters and genetic characteristics of the Arab Zebu will allow its performance to be evaluated and improved and then a more precise description to be made. The scale installations for weighing will allow different methods of comparison to estimate live weight and to establish a more appropriate barymetric formula for the Arab Zebu in Chad.
Abbreviations
HW | Height at Withers |
TL | Trunk Length |
ThC | Thoracic circumference |
RL | Rump Length |
RW | Rump Width |
HL | Head Length |
HWid | Head Width |
HoL | Horn length |
TaL | Tail Length |
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Ngarrlem Masrangar for Data collection, and breeders for their frank collaboration and consent without which this study would not have taken place.
Author Contributions
Madjina Tellah: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Supervision, Validation Writing, and original draft.
Khadidja Hassaballah: Investigation, and review & editing.
Assadi Michel: review & editing and formatting references.
Funding
This work is not supported by any external funding.
Data Availability Statement
The data is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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APA Style
Tellah, M., Hassaballah, K., Michel, A. (2025). Morphobiometric Characteristics of the Arab Zebu in Abeche, Chad. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 13(5), 135-143. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
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Tellah, M.; Hassaballah, K.; Michel, A. Morphobiometric Characteristics of the Arab Zebu in Abeche, Chad. Anim. Vet. Sci. 2025, 13(5), 135-143. doi: 10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
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Tellah M, Hassaballah K, Michel A. Morphobiometric Characteristics of the Arab Zebu in Abeche, Chad. Anim Vet Sci. 2025;13(5):135-143. doi: 10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
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@article{10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13,
author = {Madjina Tellah and Khadidja Hassaballah and Assadi Michel},
title = {Morphobiometric Characteristics of the Arab Zebu in Abeche, Chad
},
journal = {Animal and Veterinary Sciences},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {135-143},
doi = {10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.avs.20251305.13},
abstract = {The objective of the study was to describe the phenotypic characteristics of Arab Zebu in Abeche city. A longitudinal survey was administered to 26 breeders to take body measurements, and identify the physical characteristics of 112 adult cattle (100 cows and 12 bulls, 4 years and over). The information sought was: the breeder’s profile (name, sex, age, region, ethnicity, marital status, schooling and main activities), the animal descriptions (sex, coat, horns, profile of head, back, and rump, hump and dewlap size, scabbard size in males and the tail length) and some quantitative parameters (live weight, age, length, and width of head, and rump, length of horn, tail and trunk, height at withers, and thoracic circumference). After analysis of the data collected with the XLSTAT software (9.1.6), it appears that the breeders are mostly married men, of Arab ethnic group, uneducated, and practicing the white-coated breeding. Arab cattle are mostly white coated; straight in profile, straight back, flat rump, poorly developed hump and dewlap, long tail and small cupped horns. Males have an average weight of 403 kg and females, 297 kg. The height at the withers is on average 1.16m with 1.22m in males and 1.14m in females. Chest circumference, and live weight are strongly correlated. Studies in-depth on the phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of this breed will make a complete description of all the parameters and establish a suitable barymetry formula.
},
year = {2025}
}
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Morphobiometric Characteristics of the Arab Zebu in Abeche, Chad
AU - Madjina Tellah
AU - Khadidja Hassaballah
AU - Assadi Michel
Y1 - 2025/09/26
PY - 2025
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
DO - 10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
T2 - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JF - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JO - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
SP - 135
EP - 143
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2328-5850
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20251305.13
AB - The objective of the study was to describe the phenotypic characteristics of Arab Zebu in Abeche city. A longitudinal survey was administered to 26 breeders to take body measurements, and identify the physical characteristics of 112 adult cattle (100 cows and 12 bulls, 4 years and over). The information sought was: the breeder’s profile (name, sex, age, region, ethnicity, marital status, schooling and main activities), the animal descriptions (sex, coat, horns, profile of head, back, and rump, hump and dewlap size, scabbard size in males and the tail length) and some quantitative parameters (live weight, age, length, and width of head, and rump, length of horn, tail and trunk, height at withers, and thoracic circumference). After analysis of the data collected with the XLSTAT software (9.1.6), it appears that the breeders are mostly married men, of Arab ethnic group, uneducated, and practicing the white-coated breeding. Arab cattle are mostly white coated; straight in profile, straight back, flat rump, poorly developed hump and dewlap, long tail and small cupped horns. Males have an average weight of 403 kg and females, 297 kg. The height at the withers is on average 1.16m with 1.22m in males and 1.14m in females. Chest circumference, and live weight are strongly correlated. Studies in-depth on the phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of this breed will make a complete description of all the parameters and establish a suitable barymetry formula.
VL - 13
IS - 5
ER -
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