Growth performance and carcass quality of fattening lambs from fat-tailed and tailed sheep breeds

The growth performance and carcass traits of two fat-tailed breeds (Chaal and Zandi) and their crosses with rams of a tailed breed (Zel) were compared. After weaning, the growth and feed consumption of male and female lambs fattened for 114 days were recorded. A total of 45 male and female lambs were slaughtered and the left side of the carcasses were cut into six pieces, and the lean meat, bone, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat were determined. Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in crossbred lambs improved, but the differences with pure lambs were not significant. The average weight of shoulder, brisket and loin were higher in crossbred than pure breed lambs (P < 0.01). The percentage of protein in the carcass of Zel×Zandi lambs was significantly higher than Zandi lambs. The smaller size and lower weight of fat-tail in crossbred lambs were compensated by higher percentage of subcutaneous, intermuscular and internal fat. The fat-tailed breeds provided good quality lean meat in terms of lower percentage of intermuscular fat. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved