Author(s):

R Santhoshkumar, V Ramesh, K Sivakumar and AK Thiruvenkadan

Abstract: A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of weaning age and level of concentrate supplementation on carcass characteristics of Mecheri lambs at Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, Tamil Nadu. A total of 72 Mecheri lambs were selected and divided into three treatment i.e., weaned at 90 days (T1), 75 days (T2) and 60 days (T3) with 24 lambs in each treatment. Each treatment is again divided into two groups, based on the concentrate supplementation level i.e., 1 and 1.5 per cent of body weight. A total of twenty four ram lambs, four from each group were selected randomly and slaughtered at the end of seven months of age to assess the carcass characteristics. Different weaning age had non-significant effect on pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin eye area and carcass measurements. Among these concentrate supplementation group lambs fed with 1.5 per cent concentrate supplementation group had higher carcass characteristics. There was significant difference (P<0.01) between weaning age and concentrate supplementation in kidney fat. Hind leg portion contributed the highest proportion followed by breast and fore shank, shoulder, loin and neck

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