Productive performance and economical analysis of confined lambs slaughtered with three fat thicknesses

Abstract

Thirty six lambs were used, with twelve of each genotype: Santa Inês, ½ Dorper-Santa Inês e ½ White Dorper-Santa Inês were slaughtered with 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0mm of subcutaneous fat thickness. They were evaluated through ultrasound to verify the effect of the genotype and fat thickness on the performance, economic yield and carcass characteristics. The weight gain was greater for ½ Dorper-Santa Inês (0.311kg/day) and ½ White Dorper-Santa Inês (0.319kg/day). The final live weight was lower for the animals slaughtered with 2.0mm (26.20kg), intermediate for those with 2.5mm (28.23kg) and higher for those slaughtered with 3.0mm (32.00kg). The variables: weight gain, ration intake and confinement period were higher for the lambs slaughtered with 3.0 mm. The confinement of the ½ White Dorper-Santa Inês (R$2,301.60) and ½ Dorper-Santa Inês lambs (R$1,911.75) resulted in larger net income than that of the Santa Inês (R$856.60). The ½ Dorper-Santa Inês and ½ White Dorper-Santa Inês lambs had better productive performance. The confinement of the ½ Dorper-Santa Inês and ½ White Dorper-Santa Inês lambs, as well as the slaughter with 3.0mm of fat thickness, result in greater income. Carcasses of ½ White Dorper-Santa Inês lambs had better conformation than those Santa Inês and lambs slaughtered at 3.0mm of fat thickness had a greater fat cover in the carcass.