Abstract
Sheep production is an important element to many people's livelihoods that are living in rural areas and are involved with small-scale farming. In addition to providing a steady source of income for those involved with sheep, it also supplies them with a consistent source of meat, milk, and cultural value. The purpose of this study was to combine research about estimating the live body weight of sheep through various linear measures. It demonstrates the importance of body weight in animal performance as well as assesses five of the most commonly used morphometric measurements (heart girth, withers height, body length, sternum height, and rump height), which were found to be effective indicators that can easily be measured. In Nigeria, where the contribution of livestock to both food availability and rural economic development is very high, there is an absolute necessity for establishing with precision animal performance indicators or attributes including body conformation and carcass quality characteristics; so that the best possible decisions can be made regarding selection and mating, nutritional management, and marketing of animals. The use of linear body measurements represents one of the most convenient methods due to their rapid application, low cost, and suitability in developing countries where weighing equipment is often unavailable. These characteristics have great value in terms of describing the morphological makeup, the potential for growth, and the developmental characteristics of the animals; which will result in higher levels of meat production from the small holder farmers producing native breeds such as the West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep