Short scrotum castration increases total weight gain of lowland lambs when compared to the conventional rubber ring method

摘要

With estimations of global population increase, meat production must be increased to sufficiently supply demand and ensure livestock sustainability. The SS castration method ensures continued androgen production due to testicle retention and thus produces similar meat output to ram lambs (Wellington et al., 2003), although previous literature has been conflicting. Similarly, heart girth composition is considered to be an indicator of good conformation in addition weight gain (Fourie et al., 2002). Aside from this, SS castration poses several other potential benefits including increased welfare by reducing pain and increased meat quality. The present study compares the SS castration method and the conventional rubber ring (RR) method to see whether there is a difference in total weight gain of British lowland lambs.