Slaughter and carcass characteristics of Kivircik, Karacabey Merino, Ramlic, German Black-Head Mutton x Kivircik and Hampshire Down x Merino crossbreed lambs reared under intensive conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the slaughter and carcass characteristics of five different meat-type lambs reared under intensive husbandry conditions. For this purpose, a total of 202 lambs-Kivircik (K, n = 51), Karacabey Merino (KM, n = 47), Ramlic (R, n = 28), German Black-Head Mutton x Kivircik (GBK, n = 49), and Hampshire Down x Merino crossbreed (HM, n = 27)-were used to evaluate rearing performance. At the end of the rearing period, 10 male lambs of each breed were randomly selected to investigate slaughter and carcass characteristics. All lambs were housed in a single flock until the slaughtering period. An average of 600 g/lamb of concentrate feed, 100 g/lamb of alfalfa hay, and 300 g/lamb of vetches-wheat mixtures hay per day were given with ad libitum fresh water. While the average daily gain (ADG) of female K, KM, R, GBK, and HM lambs was 94.4, 165.2, 142.2, 109.0, and 160.0 g (P < 0.001); the male lambs' ADG was 167.3, 240.4, 180.5, 176.0, and 246.6 g, respectively (P < 0.001). Cold carcass weights of lambs in breeds were 19.12, 21.76, 16.80, 20.71, and 20.80 kg (P < 0.001); cold dressing percentages (CDP) were 47.39%, 47.55%, 44.86%, 47.41%, and 45.61% in K, KM, R, GBK, and HM, respectively (P < 0.01). It is concluded that Merino crossbreeds (KM and HM) had significantly more ADG and total weight gain when compared to K, R, and GBK. On the other hand, KM and GBK had higher CDP value while HM came forward for the loin eye area.