Effect of Docking and Diet Energy on Carcass Fat Characteristics in Fat-Tailed Baluchian Sheep

Authors : Ali MOHARRERY

Pages : 95-103

View : 12 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Effects of docking on carcass fat characteristics were studied in fat-tailed sheep. Male lambs were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was docked after birth using rubber rings, and the tails of the other group were left intact insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(control);. After weaning, 20 lambs from each group were divided into 2 subgroups; one subgroup was fed with a normal energy diet insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(10.25 MJ/kg ME); and the other one with a high-energy diet insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(11.42 MJ/kg ME); for 84 days. At the end of the fattening period, 28 lambs were slaughtered for determination of warm carcass weight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(WCW); and other carcass characteristics. At 24 h postmortem samples of meat, omental fat, and caudal fat were taken from chilled insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4 °C); carcasses for the assessment of fatty acid insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FA); composition. No significant difference insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P > 0.05); was observed in WCW and omental fat between carcasses of docking and control lambs, but lambs on 2 types of energy diets showed a significant difference insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);. Under these circumstances, docked lambs produced leaner carcasses than intact lambs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);. Diet energy had a significant effect on average daily gain and daily feed intake insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);. Results showed that the predominant FA in body fat was oleic acid and a significant difference was observed for percentage of FA composition between fat in different parts of body insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);.
Keywords : Baluchian sheep, docking, carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition