Abstract. In this study, we aimed to determine the slaughter-carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition in lambs raised under intensive and extensive conditions. The animal material consisted of 30 Norduz male lambs, with an average age of 171 days. The lambs were divided into two groups: concentrate-fed lambs (CO) and pasture-fed lambs (PS). The results showed that the CO lambs had heavier carcasses (p< 0.001), a higher dressing percentage (p< 0.001), and higher intramuscular fat (p< 0.01) than the PS lambs. It was determined that the longissimus thoracis muscle of the CO lambs had a lower ultimate pH and higher L * and water-holding capacity than the PS lambs. In this study, intramuscular fat (longissimus thoracis, semimembranosus, triceps brachii), subcutaneous and tail fat samples were used to evaluate the effect of feeding system on fatty acid composition. The polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid ratio (PUFA / SFA) of intramuscular fat was found to be significantly higher in the CO group than in the PS lambs, while similar subcutaneous and tail fat results were found in both groups. Moreover, the PS lambs had a lower n6 / n3 ratio and higher percentage of omega-3 than the CO lambs in all tissues studied (p< 0.05). Overall, the CO lambs have heavier and fattier carcasses with better meat quality traits than the PS lambs. However, the effects of feeding system have varying results based on the fatty acid composition of different types of fat deposits.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding systems on fattening performance, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male Norduz kids. In the study, 20 male Norduz kids weaned at 2.5 months of age were divided into two groups after weaning. The first group was reared under semi-intensive conditions (SI) on a mixture of pasture and concentrate, and the second group was reared under extensive conditions (E) on pasture only. SI group had higher final weight (35.30 kg versus 32.81 kg), daily weight gain (153.10 g versus 132.14 g), and warm carcass yield (44.84% versus 46.55%) compared to the E group although there were no significant differences. Body organs, carcass parts, prime cuts, and chemical composition of the chop area did not also differ in two groups significantly. As a conclusion, this study showed that semi-intensive feeding systems improved kid fattening performance and carcass characteristics.

This study aimed to determine the growth of 26 Akkeci (White goat = Saanen × Kilis (Bı) crossbreed) female kids by measuring their body weight, withers height, body length, heart girth depth, heart girth width, heart girth circumference, leg circumference and volume index in two-week intervals from birth to 500 days of age and by using different growth models (Monomolecular, Gompertz, Weibull and Richards). An approximate volume index was calculated by multiplying the values of heart girth depth, body length and heart girth width. The best one among these models was determined in respect of RMS (square root of Residual Means Squares which is calculated from the Square Root of Error Mean Square in ANOVA), R 2 %, Adjusted R 2 %, Mallow's C p statistic, and asymptotic correlation coefficients criteria. As a result, it was determined that Weibull growth model (which is not concerned with Weibull statistical distribution but is related to parameters of Weibull distribution) was suitable for the above-mentioned material and studied traits.

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-The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplemented organic selenium at different levels to concentrate feed of Norduz ewes in late pregnancy on maternal serum, placenta, colostrum, and offspring serum concentrations. This study was conducted using two-year-old 35 Norduz ewes. Ewes were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments for 57 days prepartum and at the seven days postpartum. Group 1 was fed a standard pregnant sheep concentrate basal diet without any additional Se supplement (control). Experiment groups were fed diets supplemented with 0.150 mg/kg, 0.300 mg/kg, and 0.450 mg/kg organic selenium to the same basal diet. Results showed that addition of selenium to gestating ewe diets increased Se in serum after one week of feeding. Ewes supplemented with 0.300 and 0.450 mg/kg Se had increased placenta, serum, and colostrum Se levels compared with those fed the control diet (P<0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between placental and serum Se concentration in ewes. Colostrum Se increased linearly with dietary Se in the treatment groups. At birth, lamb serum Se ranged from 48.96 ng/mL to 195.52 ng/mL and was affected by the Se concentration of the ewe diets, which indicated placenta transfer of selenium from the dam. As selenium level increased in basal diet, an upward trend was observed in maternal free thyroxine concentration. Likewise, serum free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and immunoglobulin G concentrations of lambs from the three treatment groups were significantly greater than of the control lambs. As a result, selenium supplementation was important for maintaining Se and immunoglobulin G concentration in placenta, serum, and colostrum in ewes.

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).

This study examined how inclusion of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in finishing lamb diets for different periods affects some physiological indicators and meat quality. A total of 40 male lambs were divided into four groups according to feeding regimen during the 120‐day finishing period as follows: C120: no DDGS included in diet for 120 days; D120: DDGS included in diet for 120 days; D75: no DDGS included in diet for 45 days + DDGS included in diet for 75 days; D45: no DDGS included in diet for 75 days + DDGS included in diet for 45 days. Dietary inclusion rate of DDGS was 27.5%. Fattening performance and rumen parameters were not affected by treatment. Feeding regimens had no significant effect on meat quality except the instrumental tenderness and juiciness score. DDGS fed lambs had higher level of total trans fatty acids and n‐6/n‐3 ratio in meat. 10t‐C18:1, 11t‐C18:1 and 9c,11t conjugated linoleic acid contents of adipose tissue were higher in all the DDGS groups compared with C120 lambs (p < .001). These results suggest that soybean meal can be replaced with corn DDGS in lamb diets for up to 120 days during the finishing period with no adverse effects on some physiological response feedlot performance and meat quality.

This study aimed to determine the effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil (REO) in lamb fattening diets on blood, rumen parameters, fattening performance and meat quality. Thirty Norduz male lambs weaned at 4 months of age with average body weight 22.0 ± 4.41 kg were used. Lambs were divided into three groups: no rosemary oil (control, R0), with 250 mg/kg DM (R250) and with 500 mg/kg DM (R500) rosemary oil added to the basal ration, and fed for 70 d. The daily feed intake of the R500 lambs (1.63 kg) was lower than other groups (1.70 kg) (p ¼ .01). Rosemary oil did not change the density of methane-producing bacteria in the rumen fluid. Rumen pH was 6.31 in R250 lambs, while it was 6.16 in control (p < .04). The proportion of propionic acid (PA) increased in R250 (26.5 molar%) and R500 (26.0 molar%) lambs compared to control lambs (22.7 molar%) (p < .001). Serum glucose levels increased with REO dose (p < .01) and serum IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in R250 lambs (p < .001). The dose rates of REO used in fattening lambs had limited effect on fattening performance, carcase and meat quality. The results showed that although it does not affect the final live weight, the negative effect of REO on feed intake at 500 mg/kg was considered as a limiting factor and 250 mg/kg dose of REO may have positive effects on ruminal fermentation. Hence, it may be beneficial to try doses lower than 500 mg in further studies. HIGHLIGHTSRosemary oil may improve rumen pH and the propionic acid (PA) concentration at 250 mg of REO/kg DM of the diet. Serum IGF-1 levels were significantly increased with 250 mg/kg dose of REO. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were negatively affected by REO at 500 mg/kg DM. Lambs supplemented with 500 mg REO/kg DM in the diet had the lowest CLA. The effect of rosemary oil on slaughter-carcase characteristics and meat quality was limited.