The Indian Journal of Small Ruminants

The carcass traits of six month old Malpura finisher male lambs maintained on grazing with supplementation of ad lib concentrate during evening hours were studied. Average pre-slaughter weight, empty live weight and hot carcass weight of lambs were 21.18±0.38 kg, 18.45±0.35 kg and 10.34±0.59 kg, respectively. Dressing yield on empty live weight (ELW) was 56.12%. The standard cuts of carcass contained 61.11% lean, 5.05% superficial fat, 3.94% inter-muscular fat and 14.79% bone content. The loin eye area an index of muscle growth was recorded as 11.49 cm². Present practice of feeding provided carcass of acceptable quality, however, very less fat content of carcass suggested the further scope of providing more intensive feeding such as stall feeding without browsing to get adequate growth.