The Relationship between Body Dimensions and Fat Deposits in Herik Lambs

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the relationships between some body measurements and fat deposits in the Herik lamb, reared in the central Black Sea Region of Turkey. In this study, data on 20 single-born male Herik lambs, namely 10 with short, round, fat tail, and 10 with long, semi-fat tails, were used. They were finished for an average of 105 days under intensive management after weaning and slaughtered at an average body weight of 40 kg. Several body measurements were taken before slaughter. Carcasses were cut into sections which were separated into meat, bone and fat. Weights of tail, carcass and non-carcass fat were recorded and used in the calculation of the total body fat weight. The highest correlation coefficient was between tail fat weight and the upper tail circumference (r=0.937, P<0.01), and the lowest was between the fat tail weight and tail length (r=0.059). The upper and lower tail circumferences explained 88% of total variation in the tail weight, and 71% of total variation in total body fat, respectively. In conclusion, lower and upper tail circumference can be used to predict fat tail weight, as well as total body fat, in Herik lambs. More detailed studies are needed for the determination of the relationship between body measurements and fat deposits and to improve the carcass characteristics of Herik lambs.