| dc.description.abstract | %e study aimed to assess the phenotypic characteristics of donkeys and their suitability for work. Data were collected on age, sex,
coat color, height at withers, body length, and heart girth from 360 randomly sampled donkeys raised in a highland agroecological
system in Kenya between the months of June and September 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA
with the sex of the donkey and age group treated as sources of variation. %e weight of donkeys was estimated using a formulae
incorporating body length and heart girth. %e study reveals that the average weight of the working donkey in the central
highlands of Kenya was 155.5 kgs ± SE 1.71. %eir height at withers was 99.7 cm ± SEM 0.50, with a heart girth of 113.7 cm ± SEM
0.43 and a body length of 113.2 cm ± SEM 0.58. All these body measurements varied significantly by sex and age group (P < 0.001).
%erefore, donkeys raised in Kenya had the same height but heavier, with longer body lengths and heart girth measurements when
compared to other domesticated working donkeys in different parts of the world indicating genetic diversity, differences in
ecogeographical conditions and husbandry practices. %e majority (86%) of the donkeys were in good welfare conditions with
moderate to ideal 86% body condition scores, minimal body lesions 5%, and lameness 18%. %e results are useful for extension
agents and donkey users when estimating optimal pack or cart loads in line with their welfare. %e findings provide opportunities
for future research on the reasons for phenotypic diversity between donkeys raised in Kenya and other parts of the world. | en_US |
