A Study on Growth, Fattening Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Morkaraman and Kivircik X Morkaraman Crosses (B1) Lambs

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare the growth, fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Morkaraman (M) and Kivircik (K) x (K x M) Bi lambs. Fifty-four M and 57 K x (K x M) Bi male and female lambs were used for growth traits and 18 M and 30 K x (K x M) Bi for fattening traits, and 6 male lambs for slaughter and carcass traits. Growth was investigated from the birth to weaning (day 90). The lambs were fed, after weaning at approximately 25 kg live weight, with sainfoin and concentrates ad libitum. Fattening lasted 56 days. The least squares means of birth weight and day 30, 60 and 90 weights were 4.03. 11.09. 18.73 and 26.60 kg, respectively, for M lambs; 4.13. 11.07, 18.26 and 26.73 kg for K x (K x M) Bi lambs. In the fattening period, daily gains and feed gain ratios were 272 g and 5.38 kg for M lambs and 324 g and 5.75 kg for K x (K x M) Bi lambs. Dressing percentages were 45.0 and 45.8% for M and K x (K x M) Bi lambs, respectively: the ratios of leg weights in the carcass were 28.8 and 31.7%: shoulder weights 14.9 and 17.0%: back weights 4.8 and 5.9%; loin weights 4.8 and 5.7%: other weights 26.4 and 33.4%; kidney knob and channel fat weights 0.9 and 2.6%: internal fat weights 0.8 and 1.1%; tail fat weights 18.6 and 3.1%; the ratios of lean meat weights in the leg cut were 63.5 and 62.9%; fat weights 15.4 and 17.8%; bone weights 21.1 and 19.3%: the ratios of lean meat weights in the shoulder cut were 64.8 and 58.3%; fat weights 12.6 and 20.5%; bone weights 22.6 and 21.1%; the ratios of total meat weights in the carcass 48.4 and 51.9%; fat weights 13.5 and 22.0%; bone weights 17.8 and 19.8%; and fat weights in the tailed carcass 32.4 and 25.1% for the same genotypes.