EFFECTS OF BIRTH TYPE ON FATTENING PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF D’MAN LAMBS IN SOUTHWESTERN ALGERIAN OASES
The current study investigated the fattening performance and carcass characteristics of D'man lambs born of different litter sizes. The data was collected at INRA's Adrar experimental station. Eighteen lambs, single-born, twin, and triplet at approximately six months of age, and 20 kg of...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Editura Universităţii din Oradea
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Natural Resources and Sustainable Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.nrsdj.com/issues-year-2024-2/effects-of-birth-type-on-fattening-performance-and-carcass-characteristics-of-d%E2%80%99man-lambs-in-southwestern-algerian-oases.html |
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| Summary: | The current study investigated the fattening performance and carcass characteristics of D'man
lambs born of different litter sizes. The data was collected at INRA's Adrar experimental station.
Eighteen lambs, single-born, twin, and triplet at approximately six months of age, and 20 kg of weight
were raised for 80 days under similar conditions. Lambs were slaughtered at an average age of 262
days, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. The final live weight of single-born, twin, and triplet
lambs’ groups were 38.08, 33.33, and 28.53 kg (P < 0.001), respectively, and for daily live weight gain
were 0.225, 0.175, and 0.121 Kg (P < 0.001), respectively. Single-born lambs had the lowest feed
conversion efficiency and feed cost compared to twins and triplets (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weight was
19.1, 16.9, and 13.5 kg (P < 0.001) in single-born, twin, and triplet lambs’ groups, respectively.
Consequently, the lungs and heart, kidneys, head, paws, and skin weights of single-born lambs were
higher than twins and triplets. However, twin lambs had the best fat score, and the differences between
the three groups of lambs in terms of mesenteric fat weights were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In
conclusion, birth type affected the fattening performances and carcass characteristics of D'man lambs.
Indeed, the fattening performance and slaughter characteristics of single-born D'man lambs were
higher than twins and triplets. To reduce the effect of this factor, the increase in weight of multiple-
born lambs at birth is essential. This requires more care on the part of the breeder and the use of large
quantities of concentrated feed both for the mothers and for raising and fattening lambs. Thus, terminal
crossbreeding with other local breeds may improve the performance of multiple-born lambs. |
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| ISSN: | 2066-6276 2601-5676 |