Effect of feeding regime during finishing on lamb welfare, production performance and meat quality

The study analysed the effect of feeding regime during finishing on lamb welfare, production performance and meat quality. Forty lambs with an average live weight of 17.2 (±0.2) kg were randomly allocated into two treatments. One group was fattened following a traditional feeding program based on barley grain and alfalfa hay rations. The control group was fed with commercial pellet concentrate and straw following the intensive regime used in a typical feed-lot. Productive traits and meat quality variables were analysed as well as stress response and behavioural variables (to assess animal welfare). Production and meat quality data were analysed fitting a one-way model with the fixed effect of feeding regime. Meat and carcass quality variables were co-varied with cold carcass weight. The differences in the frequency of behaviour of lambs (shown as a percentage of total time budget) were tested using the Chi-square ( 2) statistic. Lambs finished traditionally had a more natural behavioural repertoire with lower levels of stress but a less efficient productive performance than industrially finished lambs. Traditional lambs had technically acceptable indicators of carcass and meat quality, but require one more week of finishing to be slaughtered at the same weight as industrial lambs. From the technical and economic points of view, the industrial system is more efficient but the traditional method has the added value of better welfare and a more sustainable and traceable system.