Productive performance, body condition score and carcass characteristics of Deccani lambs reared under different farming systems

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of different farming systems on productive performance, body condition score and carcass characteristics of Deccani lambs. Thirty-six weaned lambs having 3 months of age were divided into three groups with twelve lambs in each group in under intensive (T 1 ), semi-intensive (T 2 ) and extensive (T 3 ) farming systems. The comparative mean dry matter intake (kg/day) and (kg/100kg BW) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T 1 group when compared to other groups. T 2 group had significantly (p<0.05) higher DM intake (kg/day) than T 3 group. The mean values of Average daily gains in Deccani lambs were significantly (p<0.05) higher in T 1 group compared to T 2 and T 3 groups. The feed efficiency was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in T 1 compared to T 2 , T 3 groups. Statistically significant difference was found in BCS at six months of age (p<0.05) between T 1 and T 3 groups. BCS at 9, 12 months and overall BCS, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference between T 1 and T 3 groups. T 1 group had higher pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, meat %, fat% and meat: bone ratio thanT 2 and T 3 . The dressing yields were comparable. The weights of other offals (heart, kidney, spleen, testicles, blood, head and lung and trachea) were comparable. The findings of this study indicated that the intensive and semi-intensive system of rearing could be useful for mutton production. In extensive system, which is predominant in India should change its facet by enriching the grazing land resources as well by the supplementation of required plane of nutrition during growth and special life stages viz., gestation, puberty, post lambing and finisher stages for achieving optimum productivity.

Studies on Growth Traits and Carcass Characteristics of Abou-Delik Sheep Breed under Intensive and Semi-Intensive Management Systems in Halaieb – Shalateen - Abouramad Triangle

“…This might be due to, more quantity of DMI supplemented to intensive than semi intensive group. This result is in agree with Kochewad et al, (2018), Karaca et al, (2016), Sari et al (2014) and Aydini et al, (2017),, they reported that feed conversion was more efficient in semiintensive than intensive systems.…”

Adaptive profiles of Nellore sheep with reference to farming system and season: physiological, hemato-biochemical, hormonal, oxidative-enzymatic and reproductive standpoint

“…In general, the increased AST levels are related to liver and muscle-related diseases, and the higher ALT levels are due to the liver disorders alone. However, in the present study, these results could be attributed to the increased gluconeogenesis from protein sources, thereby stressing the liver ( Kochewad et al., 2018b ). According to Weigand et al.…”

“…No seasonal influence was noticed for serum glucose levels; however, the sheep reared in extensive system revealed decreased serum glucose concentration. Similarly, few authors found reduced glucose concentration in sheep grazed for 8 h per day ( Kulkarni et al., 2010 ; Kochewad et al., 2018b ). The phenomenon indicates that depleted nutrition, but not the heat load, affect glucose concentration.…”

“…The higher pulse rate might result from rapid heartbeat and metabolism due to grazing for long distances ( Kochewad et al., 2017 ). The increased respiratory rate could be attributed to the long walks in semi-intensive and extensive systems ( Kochewad et al., 2018a , b ).…”

“…Sheep are capable of resisting these stressors, up to a certain level, by modifying their physiological, haematological, biochemical, or a combination of these, in response to thermal environment ( Hyder et al., 2017a ). The adaptive profiles of sheep were well studied in different farming systems ( Kochewad et al., 2018a , b ) or seasons ( Ribeiro et al., 2016 ; Rathwa et al., 2017 ; Banerjee et al., 2015 ) individually. However, the profile fluctuations in farming systems further depend upon the season.…”