THE SLAUGHTER AND MEAT INDICATORS OF YOUNG SHEEP BY DIFFERENT FATTENING METHODS

Abstract

Object of research: technology of fattening ram lambs of the Askanian meat-and-wool breed with crossbred wool, growth intensity of young sheep, slaughter and meat qualities. Purpose of research: to conduct a comparative evaluation of the peculiarities of meat productivity formation in young sheep under stall fattening and grazing on natural pastures. Research methods: generally accepted zootechnical methods (weighing, determination of weight gains, slaughtering of animals and carcass deboning), statistical methods (processing of research results and determination of their reliability using Student’s t-test).

The conducted studies established that under stall fattening, ram lambs of the current year of birth had 30% higher average daily gains (199 g vs. 153 g) compared to grazing on natural pastures. A live weight of 40 kg under stall fattening was reached 21 days earlier than under pasture grazing. Experimental slaughter of the animals was carried out after they reached a live weight of 40 kg. No statistically significant differences were found between the compared groups in terms of pre-slaughter and slaughter weight, as well as slaughter yield. The weight of chilled carcasses, as well as the ratio of meat to bones, did not depend on the fattening method and were typical for meat-and-wool sheep breeds