Effect of different fattening methods on slaughter and carcass characteristics of Tuj male lambs

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine effect of different fattening methods on slaughter and carcass characteristics of Tuj male lambs. Tuj lambs (n=18) were used in three groups with six lambs in each group. Group 1 was only grazed on the pasture and group 2 was supplemented 200 g concentrate with the pasture. Group 3 was supplemented 400 g concentrate with the pasture. Lambs were grazed on the pasture for 8 h/day. Concentrate with 18.5% CP and 2 650 kcal/kg ME was fed to lambs in addition to pasture. At the end of three months of experiment, the lambs were slaughter and carcass characteristics and carcass measurements were evaluated. Slaughter weights of group 1,2 and 3 were 44.10,44.86 and 46.00 kg, respectively, and hot carcass weights were 20.66, 21.36 and 22.15 kg, respectively, hot dressing percentage 46.85, 47.56 and 47.64%, respectively. The differences between groups of slaughter and carcass characteristics and carcass measurements of lambs were not statistically significant (P>0.05). As a conclusion, supplementations of concentrate feed to grazing lambs on the pasture were no effect on slaughter and carcass characteristics and carcass measurement in lambs.