Authors : T.V. Raja, M. Stephen, K.A. Bindu and T. Marykutty
Abstract: The carcass characteristics of Attappady black goats reared under the high range field conditions of Kerala in India were studied. A total of 30 animals randomly purchased from various places of the home tract of the breed were slaughtered at the Meat Technology Unit of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Thrissur for evaluation study of the carcass. Out of 30 animals 10 each (5 males and 5 females) belonged to 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The live weight was recorded at the time of purchase as well as just before slaughter to find out the transport/fasting loss. The weight of carcass and non-carcass components of each animal was recorded to study the dressing percentage. At the time of purchase, average live weights of males belonging to 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 14.6, 18.0 and 20.8 kg, respectively and the corresponding values were 13.6, 16.0 and 20.6 in females. The transport loss was the lowest for animals at 12 months of age (8.65% for males and 9.22% for females) and highest for animals at 6 months of age (10.96% for males and 10.29% for females). The dressing percentage was maximum at 6 months of age (43% for males and 42.96% for females) followed by animals at 12 months of age (42.83% for males and 41.425 for females). The percentages of non-carcass components like blood, hide, head and cannons, lungs, organs and stomach and intestine were also individually recorded. The study revealed that dressing percentage was the highest in goats of 6 month age groups even though the transport loss was more compared to other groups and hence it is recommended that the Attappady black goats can be slaughtered at the age of 6 months for better economic returns.
T.V. Raja, M. Stephen, K.A. Bindu and T. Marykutty, 2011. Carcass Characteristics of Attappady Black Goats Raised Under Extensive Grazing System. Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 5: 40-42.