Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW. Animal ...

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW
Animal Science No 47, 2010: 5–9
(Ann. Warsaw Univ. of Life Sci. – SGGW, Anim. Sci. 47, 2010)
Influence of age and sex on body conformation of alpacas bred
in Poland
GRZEGORZ CZUB, ROMAN NIŻNIKOWSKI,
ANNA MORALES VILLAVICENCIO
Division of Sheep and Goat Breeding, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW
Abstract: Infl uence of age and sex on body conformation
of alpacas bred in Poland. In present
work the attempt preliminary characteristic of
alpaca build from the national farm on basis selected
zoometrics measurements was undertaken.
On each of 49 animals the following measurements
were taken: height, body length, spread and depth
of chest, chest round, spread and length of head,
length and round of foreshank. Compound measurements
were analysed due to the two factors: age
and sex. The age statistically affected only depth
of chest. Only the value of foreshank and width
measurements of the head did not showed dependence
either on age and sex.
Key words: alpaca, zoometric measurements, body
conformation, age, sex.
INTRODUCTION
Llamas and alpacas are animals extensively
used in South America. Except of
the South American continent they are
bred all around the world and the main
product gaining from them is a fiber
(Morales Villavicencio, Niżniowski,
2006). Llamas’ and alpacas’ fibre is
a very valuable material of small-diameter
fibers and the excellent warm-protecting
properties (Morales Villavicencio, Radzik-
-Rant, 2005).
In Poland the alpacas breeding had started
in 2004. This exotic animals perfectly
settled on Polish country side. They have
exceptionally low environmental requirements
– they well adjust to different climatical
zones, they do not require massive,
expensive farm buildings. Moreover, feeding
alpacas is also not expensive (Morales
Villavicencio, Niżnikowski, 2008).
With regard to the developing population
of alpacas in Poland the attention
should be turned to the correct breeding
work. One element of this activities is
judging the body build, which could give
information about adaptive reaction of
alpacas to the conditions of production
environment. The results of zoometrical
measurements are the first in Poland.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The live body measurements were taken
at the alpacas farm located near Ciechanowiec,
in the village Bujenka distant
140 kilometers from Warsaw. The measurements
were collected from the group of
49 animals – 23 females and 26 males.
Animals were divided for three age groups
– one and a half of years, three years and
at the age more than three years.
The nine zoometric measurements
were done on each animal: height, body
length, spread and depth of chest, chest
round, spreadand length of head, length