Effect of age-by-carcass weight classification on carcass traits, cutability and fat-partitioning of Barbari male goats

Abstract

The influence of carcass weight classification within kid (6 months to 1 year), yearling (1 to 2 years) and mature (> 2 years) categories on carcass traits, its cutability and fat-partitioning was studied using Barbari male goat (60) carcasses. Heavier carcass weight classes within each age category having higher(P<0.05) loin eye area produced significantly higher (P<0.05) lean meat with higher carcass (P<0.05) yield. Among the commercially important non-carcass components, the heavier carcass weight class produced higher (P<0.05) proportion of skin but lower (P<0.05) variety meats, alimentary canal, ingesta and excreta. No significant differences in carcass cutability were observed although the saleable meat yield increased from 89.62% in kids to 93.38% in mature goats. There was steady increase in the proportion of neck and shoulder and neck cuts and gradual decrease in leg cut with increase in age and weight of the goats. Heavier carcass weight classes produced significantly higher (P<0.05) inguinal, omental, kidney, subcutaneous and intermuscular fats. There was decrease in both non-carcass and carcass fats with the increased age. Results indicated that age-by-carcass weight classification could be useful in chevon trade, and slaughter age for goats might be around I year to have reasonably good distribution of carcass fat which decreased with increase in age.