Studies on Growth, Carcass Traits and Body Composition of Goats Raised either in Intensive or Pasture Conditions (2- Body Composition and Carcass Tissue Distribution)

Abstract

A total of 32 weaned (90 days) males (16) and females (16) native kids were randomly allocated into two equal groups to be fed either concentrate or to be raised on pasture, and then slaughtered at 20 or 30 kg live body weight. Animals were slaughtered when each kid reached its target body weight. After chilling at 4^?C for 24h, the carcass was split along the vertebral column in to two halves. The muscular tissue of the left half- carcass was separated into nine groups. Carcass fat and bones was also, separated and weighed.

Lean, fat, bone, lean: fat and lean: bone ratio averaged 64.08± 0.62%, 13.31±0.94%, 22.59±0.45%, 6.02± 0.58 and 2.98±0.09 respectively. Male kids had significantly (p<0.05) higher lean, lean: fat ratio and MG3 and MG4 than females. Kids raised on pasture had significantly (p<0.05) higher proportion of lean, bone and lean: fat ratio and lower proportion of MG3 than kids fed concentrate. Also, kids slaughtered at 30kg yielded significantly (p<0.05) lower lean,bone and higher fat than kids slaughtered at 20kg. Total non- carcass fat, carcass fat and total body fat as a percent of empty body weight averaged 1.856± 0.194% , 3.581± 0.261%  and 5.437± 0.429%,  respectively. Female kids , kids received concentrate and kids slaughtered at 30kg had significantly (p<0.05) higher proportion of total non carcass fat , total carcass fat and total body fat than male kids, kids raised on pasture and kids slaughtered at 20kg. Male kids had higher proportions of bone than females. Significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the two feeding regimens in the weight of bones.

Keywords: Carcass Ttissue Distribution, Feeding Regimens, Goat.