Comparative research on carcass quality in suckling lambs of different local sheep breeds

摘要

The paper presents a comparative study of suckling lambs carcass and meat quality from three local sheep breeds: Carabash, Tsigai and Tsurcana. The lambs were weaned and then slaughtered close to Easter; they had quite similar body weights. Carabash lambs weighed 19.16±0.775 kg at the age of 49 days; Tsigai lambs weighed 19.14±0.471kg at the age of 66 days and Tsurcana lambs weighed 17.72±0.519 kg at the age of 81 days. Carabash lambs had the best slaughter yield (47.54±0.913) and commercial yield (54.42±0.541), followed by Tsigai and Tsurcana lambs. Carcass indices reflect the harmony of carcass development, the index of leg shape and the index of carcass uniformity showthat Carabash lambs have higher quality carcasses than the other two breeds. The meat to bone ratio is slightly higher in Tsigai lambs than in Carabash and Tsurcana lambs. Carcass classification according to the fat percentage places Carabash lambs in the medium and fat categories, Tsigai lambs in the medium category and Tsurcana lambs in the lean category. The conclusion of this study is that Carabash sheep are the best suited for the production of suckling lambs because of the large body weight at lambing and the high daily weight gains during the suckling period. Carcass characteristics are also better than those of Tsigai and Tsurcana lambs