Determining the Appropriate Fattening Age Based on Carcass Characteristics of Male Afshari Lambs in the Post-Weaning Period

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor - Animal nutrition (ruminants), Animal Science Research Division , Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Zanjan, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization. Zanjan.IRAN

2 Professor Animal Science Depratment , Agriculture Faculty University of Zanjan,

Abstract

Optimum age for starting feedlot and its’ effects on carcass characteristics of Afshari male lambs was studied using 24 lambs at groups of 60, 90, 120 and 150 days with average body weight of 22.83, 27.73, 36.30 and 42.55 kg. As treatments of 1-4, respectively in a completly randomized design with 6 replications. Results showed that age of lambs at slaughtering time with body weight of 50 kg had a significant difference (P<0.05) so that lambs fattened at 60 and 90 d of age had lower sloaughtering age comparing to other treatments. Effect of begining age of fattening on weight gain was significant (P <0.05), Dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly different between the treatments (P<0.05). Minimum DMI was to 60 d treatment (1.31 kg), and its amount increased with increasing age. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increase significantly with age of lambs and the most value was for 150 d (7.72) and the least was to 90 d (4.48). The weight of hot carcass and cold half carcass did not show statistically difference. However, the highest weight of the cold carcass was related to the first treatment by 60 d fattening starting at (26.683 kg) and the lowest value was related to treatment 3 with the fattening starting at 120 d (23.933 kg).In general, it can be concluded that the optimal age for starting the fattening of Afshari male lambs is recommended in terms of carcass composition and cost-effectiveness, 90 d and with the starting weight of about 27 kg.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Iranian Journal of animal Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 April 2025

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 13 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 09 March 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics