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Objective measurements and tissue composition of carcass of lambs fed with different energy levels in creep feeding

Abstract:

The experiment was carried out at Sheep Production Department, Universidade de Marília-SP, to evaluate the effect of energy levels (2.6, 2.8 and 3.0 Mcal ME/kg DM) on objective measures of carcasses and loin, cuts weight and yield and tissue composition and muscularity of carcasses of lambs under creep feeding. Isoprotein rations (18.50 %CP) were fed ad libitum, twice a day. Lambs stayed with their dams until slaughter weight (31 kg). After, lambs were fasted, when slaughter live weight was recoded. During cooling at 5°C by 24 h, carcasses were hanged by tarse-metartase articulation, distanced by 17 cm, and, then, were measured. Later, carcasses were sectioned and the left side was divided in seven anatomical parts (shoulder, leg, loin, true ribs, false ribs, breast point and neck) to calculate weight and yield of cuts. Then, muscle Longissimus dorsi was evaluated. Left leg was dissected and it was considered muscle, fat and bone weights. Muscularity index was figured out. Results showed significant differences for thorax depth, true ribs weight and yield, and leg intermuscular fat. It was concluded that ration with 3.0 Mcal ME showed better results for Suffolk lambs fed and finished in creep feeding.