Effect of slaughter age on carcass traits of malpura lambs

The data on one hundred thirty Malpura ram lambs (6.0–8.8 months old) slaughtered during 2012–2017 in the experimental abattoir of ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar were used to study the effects of slaughter age on carcass characteristics. The animals were slaughtered at three different ages (6.0, 7.5 and 8.8 months). Empty body weights and hot carcass weights of Malpura ram lambs were 21.63±0.59 and 12.07±0.37kg at 6.0 months, 28.38±0.65 and 16.22±0.39kg at 7.5 months and 26.76±0.65 and 15.44±0.76kg at 8.8 months of age, respectively. The corresponding values for inedible and edible components of carcasses on pre-slaughter basis were 24.78±0.65 and 7.63±0.56%, 26.29±0.67 and 10.83±0.62% and 24.4±1.11 and 7.67±0.57%, respectively. Dressing yield at 6 months of age (55.61±0.33%) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than at 7.5 months (57.04±0.24%) and 8.8 months (57.29±0.79%) of age. Loin eye area was significantly (P<0.001) higher at 7.5 months (17.05±0.61cm²) and 8.8 months (15.42±0.94cm²) of age. Lean, separable fat and bone contents of carcasses were 58.17±0.78, 13.25±1.27 and 23.99±0.42% at 6 months, 57.38±0.51, 16.68±1.39 and 22.70±0.38% at 7.5 months and 55.39±0.69, 18.06±1.50 and 23.14±0.69% at 8.8 months of age. In conclusion, slaughtering of Malpura ram lambs at 6 months of age, weighing 24.49 kg live weights resulted in acceptable dressing yield and desirable meat quality than ram lambs slaughtered at 7.5 months and later at 8.8 months of age.