Growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing Boer goats

E. Aplocina

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Animal Sciences, Liela iela 2, LV 3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Correspondence: elita.aplocina@llu.lv

Abstract:

In developing countries, goat kids are usually reared naturally under extensive conditions, but kids that are fed high concentrate diets generally have higher daily gains, dressing percentage and carcass quality then those produced in extensive system. Feeding of goat kids is the main factor affecting growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing Boer goats. A study was carried out within the framework of the project ‘Zootechnical and economic efficiency of feeding of fodder pulses to ruminant’s meat production’. Eight kids of Boer breed were individually fattened for 60 days under an intensive management system, of which 4 kids received ad libitum concentrated feed of melted grain mix (GG) that was produced in farm and consisted of 25% oats, 25% barley and 50% fodder beans, but 4 kids received pelleted concentrated feed (CG) produced in feed company. Fattening performance, slaughter traits and carcass characteristics were evaluated. The carcasses were analyzed by weight and proportion of tissue: muscle, bone, fat. Daily live weight gain during 60 days of the fattening period was 235 g per day for CG kids, which is by 42.4% greater than for GG group kids (165 g per day (P < 0.05)). Feeding of GG kids by grain mix showed a lower growth rate of kids than feeding by pelleted concentrated feed (31.1 kg and 35.5 kg pre-slaughter, respectively), but had a higher dressing percentage (49.5% and 43.5%, respectively). Consequently, there was no significant difference in carcass weight (14.36 kg and 14.50 kg, respectively). GG carcasses had a higher fat content – 11.8% vs. 9.4%. In terms of the muscle-to-fat ratio, the carcasses of the kids of the two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05), where in the GG group there was 5.0 kg of muscle tissue per kg of fat and in the CG group there was 6.8 kg of muscle tissue. Total feed costs per day per animal and per kg live weight gain were higher in the CG group, as the feed price from a feed company was significantly higher than for farm-based grain meal. The results suggest that diet has an impact on the goat kid growth performance and carcass quality, and in intensive fattening systems it is more profitable to use a self-produced grain mix.

Key words:

Effect of concentrate supplementation on fattening performance and carcass composition of finished meat-goat kids

E. Aplocina* and L. Degola

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Animal Sciences, Liela street 2, LV3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: elita.aplocina@llu.lv

Abstract:

A study on the effective usage of the concentrated feed supplement to Boer meat goat kids was carried out within the framework of the project ‘Zootechnical and economic efficiency of feeding of fodder pulses to ruminant’s meat production’. Since the Boer goat breed in Latvia is still very rare, there is a lack of experience in the feeding and production of meat goat for better carcass traits and meat quality. This study was arranged in autumn period, using the Boer cross breed male kids born in 2018. In control group (OG) four kids were kept together with mothers till finishing and were fed by oats as concentrated feed supplement. In research group (BG) four goat kids were weaned from mothers and placed in shed to explain influence of mix of 85% of oats and 15% of fodder beans as protein supplement to the fattening outcomes. In the trial kids were weighed at the starting and ending of the trial. Carcass quality is assessed according to the European standard for the classification of carcasses of sheep, where EUROP letter designations have been used to denote musculature development, and the fat deposition level is indicated by numbers 1–5. The length of the carcass and the circumference of the hips were measured using the tape measure. The carcasses were analyzed by type of tissue: muscle, bone, fat. The fastest growing rate during the fattening period of 72 days was given to BG kids with a mean daily live weight gain of 72 g, while the OG kids achieved 69 g. After slaughter, the carcass yield of OG kids was from 42.5% to 51.4%, but for BG kids was 38.5% to 42.5%. The quality of the obtained carcasses was an average, and score for musculature was from R to P class, but the average score for fat deposition was from 2.25 to 2.75 points and higher fat cover was observed in BG kids. Higher proportion of lean meat (59.1%) and fat tissues (16.3%) were observed to OG kids, but higher proportion of bone (25.9%) was in BG kid’s carcasses. The consumption of concentrated feed for 1 kg of live weight gain indicates the conversion of feed nutrients. The consumption of oats per kilogram of live weight gain was 3.21 kg for OG kids, but the consumption of the feed mix of oats and beans for BG kids was 2.83 kg. Based on physical parameters of goat kid carcass and high level of lean meat, fattening of Boer cross breed goat kids by using of oats or feed mix can be an ideal choice for farmers, which try to find new products and free market for consumers.

Key words:

carcass characteristics, kids, meat quality