MUTTON PRODUCTION FROM FAT-TAILED LAMBS IN RELATION TO PLANE OF NUTRITION. I. BODY PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS.

Twenty four Ossimi single male lambs were used in this study to measure the effect of plane of nutrition during pregnancy and first year of age on body perfor mance and carcass traits. The following results were obtained:
1- Lambs from ewes receiving high plane of nutrition,
being significantly (P/ 0.05) heavier at birth by 26.2% than those from ewes subjected to low level
of nutrition. 2- Slaughter weight, empty body weight and hot carcass
weight increased significantly (P/ 0.05) with in
creasing level of energy intake. 3- Group H scroed higher values (55.13%) for dressing
percentage compared to 50.13% and 51.88% for group < /p>
L and M, respectively. 4- Carcass length increased significantly (PX 0.01)
with the increase in level of nutrition. Therefore, restrictuion of nutrition during early stages of life altered the normal development of skeletal system of lambs and in turn, decreased their capa
city for mutton production. 5- Blood percentage was found to be 10.87, 6.15 and
5.91% for group L, M and H, respectively. 6- The weight of body offals and organs tended to in
crease with increasing level of energy intake. The percentages of offals and organs were the reverse of their absolute weight.
Assiut Vet.Med. J.Vol. 7, No. 13614,1980.
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Lambs in group H produced heavier cuts than those in group L and M. The most pronounced effect of treatment was that on weight of loin, breast, neck and tail.