Effect of Days on Feed on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Eastern Anatolian Red Young Bulls

Thirty two native Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) young bulls (10 mo) were fed to study the effect of days on feed (168, 210 or 270 d) on performance. With increasing age, rate of weight gain decreased but dressing per cent increased with decrease in non - carcass components. Almost all body fats and marbling score increased with longer feeding period. Meat from longer fed animals was rated higher for flavour intensity and tenderness score, which observation was substantiated by a decrease in Warner Bratzler Shear Value and number of chews before swallow. It was concluded that the native EAR cattle at 10 months of age should be fed intensively for a minimum of 270 d in order to get a large carcass without compromising meat quality.