engleski

Carcass slaughter characteristics of sheep depending on age and sex

The influence of age on slaughter carcass quality has been researched on: 3 and 3.5 month old weaning lambs, 4.5 mth old post-weaning lambs and adult sheep (>18 mth). The sex influence on the carcass slaughter characteristics was not investigated in the weaning lambs up to 3 months old. The age and sex of sheep had a significant influence on the slaughter quality of their carcasses. With increasing body weights (and ages), the carcass dressing percentages increased too. The weaning and post-weaning male lambs had a statistically higher body weight at the age of 3.5 and 4.5 mths in comparison to the female lambs. The rams had a statistically higher body weight at the age over 18 m. in comparison to the ewes of the same age group. The weaning male lambs at the age of 3.5 mths and rams had a statistically higher dressing percentage than the weaning female lambs and ewes. Sex had a significant influence on the conformation of the sheep carcasses. The relative proportion of ribs was higher in the carcasses of ewes than in the carcasses of rams. The legs of rams were significantly heavier than the legs of ewes and they had a significantly higher absolute and relative share of the muscle tissue and a statistically significant lower share of fat tissue compared to the legs of ewes.

sheep ; lamb ; carcass ; age ; sex

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