The Indian Journal of Small Ruminants

The present study was undertaken to assess meat yield efficiency and carcass characteristics of native Chokla and Avikalin yearling male lambs maintained on grazing with concentrate supplementation. Pre-slaughter weight, empty live weight and hot carcass weight were similar in Chokla and Avikalin yearling males. The dressing yield in terms of pre-slaughter weight and empty live weight were however, higher (P<0.01) in Avikalin than Chokla amounting to 43.6 and 39.7, 53.7 and 50.2%, respectively. The cut yields of leg, neck and shoulder and breast and fore shank were almost similar in both the breeds. The loin cut yield was however, higher (P<0.05) in Chokla while the rack cut yield was higher (P<0.05) in Avikalin. The lean and fat content of neck and shoulder and breast and fore shank cuts were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Chokla than Avikalin. The caul and kidneys fat % were also higher (P<0.01) in Chokla than Avikalin. In the variety meat, liver weight was higher (P<0.01) in Chokla (1.8% of PSW) than Avikalin (1.6% of PSW) whereas the kidney, heart, testicle, spleen weights were similar in the 2 breeds averaging to 0.28, 0.41, 0.79 and 0.16%, respectively. The skin weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Chokla (9.45% of PSW) whereas percentages of the head and lungs with trachea were higher (P<0.05) in Avikalin. It is concluded that the yearling Avikalin and Chokla male lambs raised on grazing with supplementation provided carcass of acceptable quality. Moreover, the higher depot fat content of Chokla indicated that the feeding protocol was adequate for the breed while Avikalin because of their higher requirements were at a disadvantage.