Fattening and Some Carcass Characteristics of Karadi Lambs Raised on Concentrate or Pasture

Abstract

Fourteen weaned Karadi lambs (4-5 months old) and weighing 26.5±0.33 Kg were used to evaluate the effect of feeding on concentrate or on pasture with free access to barley on fattening and some carcass characteristics. Lambs were slaughtered when each individual lamb reached its designated body weight (35 kg). Significantly (p<0.05) average daily gain in weight was higher in the lambs maintained on concentrate (140.11±10.48) compared to those fed on pasture and supplemented with barely (88.23±13.20). There was no significant differences between the two groups for dressing percentage, all cuts of the carcass and edible and non edible organs, while lambs fed on concentrate exhibited thicker fat over L. dorsi muscle and had greater rib eye area compared to lambs kept on pasture and supplemented with barely.