Determination of the Optimum Fattening Period and Fattening Performance\rslaughter and Carcass Characteristics of Hair Goat and Saanen × Hair Goat (G1) Crossbred Kids Fattened in Different Systems

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the fattening performance and slaughter and carcass\rcharacteristics of Hair goat and Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred kids in different fattening\rsystems. Thirty Hair goats and 30 Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred singleton male kids 2.5-3\rmonths old and weaned were used. The kids were fattened in three different systems: intensive,\rsemi-intensive, and extensive. Marginal value analysis was applied to determine the optimum\rfeeding periods of the kids. In order to determine the slaughter and carcass characteristics, all the\rkids fattened were taken to slaughter after determining their live weight at the end of the fattening.\rLive weight gains after the intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive fattening were 17.83 kg, 19.39\rkg, and 18.29 kg in the Hair goat kids and 17.88 kg, 18.24 kg, and 17.32 kg in the Saanen × Hair\rgoat (G1) crossbred kids, respectively. In the same order, the average concentrate feed consumed\rby kids for 1 kg live weight gain was 7.55 kg, 7.28 kg, 7.00 kg and 7.07 kg. Hot carcass weights\rafter the intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive fattening were 13.58, 14.06, and 13.02 kg in the\rHair goat kids and 14.21, 15.03, and 14.06 kg in the Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred kids. The\rSaanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred goats increased more in live weight than the Hair goat kids and\rthe semi-intensive fattened goats increased more in live weight than the intensive and extensive fed\rgoats. Moreover, the optimum fattening times generally varied between the groups, but not between\rgenotypes within the group.