Effect of castration on growth and carcass traits in hair goat kids under a semi-intensive system in the south-Marmara region of Turkey

The effect of castration on growth and carcass composition of Turkish hair kids was studied from weaning at 160–216 days (56 days total). Average daily weight gain did not differ between intact males and castrates (102 and 77 g, respectively). Dressing percentage based on full weight and empty body weight was lower (P < 0.01) for intact males than castrates. Castration had no significant effect on percentage contributions to the whole carcass of priminal cuts, excluding the long leg and ribs. Castration did not affect tissue distribution in the carcass except for intermuscular fat. It was concluded that castration on hair kids of Turkey improves carcass value by increasing dressing percentage, eye muscle area and intermuscular fat. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.