Effect of different feeding systems on the fattening performance, slaughter-carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs

The aim of the study was to find out the effect of different feeding systems on the fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Norduz male lambs. Lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 15 each, as follows: 2M (2 meals/day), 4M (4 meals/day) and SF (self-feeder). Then, lambs were fed according to these regimes for 70 days to determine the feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, carcass fatness and meat quality traits such as pH, color and water holding capacity. Although live weights and daily weight gains were found to be similar among the groups, significant differences were found in the daily feed intake (2M: 1.53 kg; 4M: 1.70 kg; SF: 1.89 kg) among groups (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in slaughter and carcass characteristics except dressing percentage (2M: 49.69%; 4M: 50.59%; SF: 48.46%). Meat quality traits were also similar among groups, except for pH_24h (2M: 5.77; 4M: 5.95; SF: 6.10)(p<0.01).