Growth and Development in Iraqi Awasi Sheep From Birth to One Year Age and it's Relationship with Some Quantity Characteristics of Carcass and Main Tissue Distribution.

Kh. Abdullah, Mahfoodh

	Growth and Development in Iraqi Awasi Sheep From Birth to One Year Age and it's Relationship with Some Quantity Characteristics of Carcass and Main Tissue Distribution.
Journal of Tikrit University For Agriculture Sciences
Article 1, Volume 17, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 164-170
Author
Mahfoodh Kh. Abdullah
Abstract
This experiment was carried out at Animal Farm, Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit for the period between 17/2/2012 and 17/2/2013. 42 Awassi lambs obtained from the ewe bred at the college farm were used in the study .Growth and development measurements were recorded for the lambs between birth and yearling months).The lambs were assigned to 7 age groups : birth , 2 ,4 ,6 ,8 ,10 and 12 months with an average live body weights : 4.09,12.72,23.00,33.60,44.00,55.21 and 63.37 kg for the age groups ,respectively . The results obtained revealed a significant increase(p<0.05) of the daily weight gain with the advancement of age with the exception of the first period(birth-2 months ).The highest daily weight gain(182 gm /day) was recorded for the period (8-10 months).However, a decrease of the daily weight gain (158 gm/day ) was recorded at the last period (10-12 months) .The highest dressing percentage(54.21%) as measured on the basis of chilled carcass weight (chilled carcass weight /empty body weight ) was found for the lambs slaughtered the age of 12 month. Eye muscle area and fat thickness were increased significantly(p<0.05)with age advancement .The highest values of both traits were found for lambs slaughtered 12 months (17.36 cm2 and 3.80 mm, respectively).Physically dissected tissues (bone, muscle and fat) appeared to be significantly affected (p<0.05) with the exception of bone tissue. Lean meat % decreased from 63.22% at birth to 45.50% at the age of 12 months. Alternatively, fat % increased from 13.64% at birth to 40.10% at the same age.
Keywords
Growth; Development; Iraqi Awasi sheep; Quantity Characteristics; Carcass; Main Tissue Distribution

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