ABSTRACT The present study aimed at comparing predictive performance of some data mining algorithms (CART, CHAID, Exhaustive CHAID, MARS, MLP, and RBF) in biometrical data of Mengali rams. To compare the predictive capability of the algorithms, the biometrical data regarding body (body length, withers height, and heart girth) and testicular (testicular length, scrotal length, and scrotal circumference) measurements of Mengali rams in predicting live body weight were evaluated by most goodness of fit criteria. In addition, age was considered as a continuous independent variable. In this context, MARS data mining algorithm was used for the first time to predict body weight in two forms, without (MARS_1) and with interaction (MARS_2) terms. The superiority order in the predictive accuracy of the algorithms was found as CART > CHAID ≈ Exhaustive CHAID > MARS_2 > MARS_1 > RBF > MLP. Moreover, all tested algorithms provided a strong predictive accuracy for estimating body weight. However, MARS is the only algorithm that generated a prediction equation for body weight. Therefore, it is hoped that the available results might present a valuable contribution in terms of predicting body weight and describing the relationship between the body weight and body and testicular measurements in revealing breed standards and the conservation of indigenous gene sources for Mengali sheep breeding. Therefore, it will be possible to perform more profitable and productive sheep production. Use of data mining algorithms is useful for revealing the relationship between body weight and testicular traits in describing breed standards of Mengali sheep.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to demonstrate live weight estimation based on age by using Newton Interpolation method for male and female quails for seven weeks of fattening. A total of 138-day-old quail chicks were used in the study. The study demonstrated a 6th-degree polynomial interpolation for the function values obtained at seven equal intervals from 7 to 49 days. Live weight increase prediction was calculated for male and female quails between the 7th and 49th days using Newton Interpolation. Daily live weight increase for male and female quails based on observed live weights was determined. Female quails displayed more live weight increase after the 19th day compared with males. Average live weight increase in male quails was 3.81 g, and 4.63 g for females until the 49th day. The highest live weight increase was observed during the fourth week for all quails. Sum of squared errors and coefficient of determination (R2) for fit of the model were calculated and the F test was performed. F, sum of squared errors, and R2 obtained by Newton Interpolation for male quails and female quail were very large: 0 (approximately zero) and 0.999, respectively. The interpolation method is suitable for breeding studies.