Possibilities of using cubic spline function and yield-density models in estimation of live weight of kıvırcık lambs fed with different silage types

Abstract

In this study, the possibilities of using Cubic Spline functions and some yield-density models in the estimation of live weights of K & imath;v & imath;rc & imath;k lambs fed with different silage types were investigated. In the experiment, 40 male K & imath;v & imath;rc & imath;k lambs aged 2.5-3 months were used and the animals were fattened for 56 days. To assess the predictive performance of the fitted models, model fit statistics such as the coefficient of determination (R-2), adjusted R-2, mean square error (MSE), and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) were determined. The Cubic Spline model was discovered to be the best model for quantifying K & imath;v & imath;rc & imath;k lambs live weight, with the highest R-2 and adjusted R-2 values, as well as the lowest MSE and AIC values. Cubic Spline functions were applied as live weight estimation model in lambs fed with silage containing 5 different ratios of corn and sunflower (100% sunflower silage, 75% sunflower + 25% corn silage, 50% sunflower + 50% corn silage, 25% sunflower + 75% corn silage, 100% corn silage). As a result, Cubic Spline functions have been found to be effective in estimating the live weight of fattened lambs.