RESUMO
There is little knowledge about the carcass potential of Turkish native goat breeds raised under different rearing conditions. It is necessary to compare the carcass characteristics of these breeds to minimize the effect of the rearing conditions. Therefore, this study aims to compare the growth, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male kids at weaning age to eliminate the impact of rearing conditions. Kids born to Angora (n = 6), Hair (n = 6), Honamli (n = 6), and Kilis (n = 6) Turkish native goat breeds, ranging in age from 2-3 years, were slaughtered at 90 days of weaning age and carcass characteristics were determined immediately. There were differences (p < 0.05) among breeds in terms of birth weight (BW) and daily weight gain (DWG) from birth to weaning age. Honamli kids had higher BW and DWG than those of other breeds (p < 0.05). Similarly, carcass weights (hot-cold) and yields (hot-cold) of Honamli kids were higher compared to kids born to other breeds (p < 0.05). Additionally, Honamli and Hair kids had higher longissimus-dorsi (LD), and semitendinosus (ST) muscle weights compared to Kilis and Angora kids. Interestingly, Kilis kids had lower BW and DWG than those of other breeds (p < 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among breeds in terms of non-carcass parts and organ weights. Positive correlations were calculated between cross-sectional area and weight (r = 0.793; p < 0.01), length and weight (r = 0.723; p < 0.01), and depth and weight (r = 0.698; p < 0.01) in LD muscle of all kids. A similar correlation trend was calculated for the ST muscle (cross-sectional area and weight; r = 0.699; p < 0.01, length and weight; r = 0.751; p < 0.01, and depth and weight; r = 0.528; p < 0.05) in all kids. In conclusion, the present study results showed that Honamli kids could be used for fattening material due to their good carcass quality compared to other native breeds.
RESUMO
Silages or ensiled plant parts are important to feed materials for ruminal fermentation and contributed to the feeding of ruminant animals in large share. The current study was conducted to determine the nutritive value of ensiled Amaranthus powellii Wild. (AP) treated with salt and barley. Experimental silages were (1) no supplemented AP forage (control), (2) 1% salt-added AP, (3) 1% salt + 5% barley-added AP, (4) 5% barley-added AP, (5) 1% salt + 7.5% barley-added AP, and (6) 7.5% barley-added AP silages. Silages were analyzed to determine their nutritional contents, physical properties, and microbiota. The DM (g/kg), OM, CP, ADF, NDF, ADL, and ash contents (g/100 g DM) of AP silage were determined as 331.20, 29.84, 12.62, 37.22, 57.72, 42.23, and 3.28, respectively. DM and OM contents were increased by both salt and barley additions while CP and ADF values decreased by these additions (P < 0.01). DDM and RFV values were improved by both salt and barley additions with alone and together usage, reaching the highest levels by 7.5% barley addition (P < 0.01). While salt itself did not affect RFQ, 5%, 7.5% barley, and 1% salt with 5% barley additions decreased this value (P < 0.01), most likely, due to the nutritional content of added barley. The physical properties of AP silage were not affected by any treatment (P > 0.05), except a* and Fleig score (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Salt caused loss natural red coloring in AP silage compared with control silage, while the other additions saved the natural coloring (P < 0.01). Expectedly, all treatments increased lactic acid bacteria count compared with control (P < 0.01). To conclude, AP had the potential to be a good silage with respective to its nutritional contents, feed value, and physical properties with appropriate microbiological status. Salt and barley both can be used to improve the nutritional status of AP silages. Further studies are needed to determine its in vitro digestibility and preference by animals in vivo.
