Studies on Growth, Carcass Traits and Body Composition of Goats Raised either in Intensive or Pasture Conditions (1-Growth Performance and Carcass Traits).

Abstract

Thirty two weaned (90 days) males (16) and females (16) native kids with an average live weight of 16.22±0.80 for males and 17.00 ±0.7 kg for females were used in this experiment. Each sex was divided randomly into two groups, the first (8 males and 8 females) was penned individually and fed on concentrate, and the second group (8 males and 8 females) was raised on pasture to be fattened and slaughtered at 20 kg or 30 kg.

Result revealed that daily gain in weight averaged 75.65±5.54 g/day. No significant differences were observed due to the effect of sex, feeding system and slaughter weight on this trait. Male kids and those slaughtered at 30 kg were more efficient in converting feed than females and kids slaughtered at 20kg. Dressing percentage based on live weight and on empty body weight averaged 46.54 ±0.50 and 56.76 ± 0.44 %, respectively. Kids received concentrate and those slaughtered at 30 kg had significantly (p<0.05) higher dressing percentage than kids raised on pasture or slaughtered at 20kg. Kids slaughtered at 30kg had significantly (p<0.05) larger rib eye area and thicker fat than kids slaughtered at 20kg. Kids raised on pasture had significantly higher proportion of leg (31.8 vs. 29.98%) and lower proportion of shoulder (17.72vs. 19.92%) than kids received concentrate.

Key words: growth, carcass, feeding regimens, goat.