Productive performance, body condition score and carcass characteristics of Deccani lambs reared under different farming systems

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of different farming systems on productive performance, body condition score and carcass characteristics of Deccani lambs. Thirty-six weaned lambs having 3 months of age were divided into three groups with twelve lambs in each group in under intensive (T1), semi-intensive (T2) and extensive (T3) farming systems. The comparative mean dry matter intake (kg/day) and (kg/100kg BW) was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T1 group when compared to other groups. T2 group had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher DM intake (kg/day) than T3 group. The mean values of Average daily gains in Deccani lambs were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T1 group compared to T2 and T3 groups. The feed efficiency was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T1 compared to T2, T3 groups. Statistically significant difference was found in BCS at six months of age (p less than 0.05) between T1 and T3 groups. BCS at 9, 12 months and overall BCS, there was a significant (p less than 0.05) difference between T1 and T3 groups. T1 group had higher pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, meat %, fat% and meat: bone ratio thanT2 and T3. The dressing yields were comparable. The weights of other offals (heart, kidney, spleen, testicles, blood, head and lung and trachea) were comparable. The findings of this study indicated that the intensive and semi-intensive system of rearing could be useful for mutton production. In extensive system, which is predominant in India should change its facet by enriching the grazing land resources as well by the supplementation of required plane of nutrition during growth and special life stages viz., gestation, puberty, post lambing and finisher stages for achieving optimum productivity.