Fattening Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Akkaraman and Asaf x Akkaraman F1 Crossbred Lambs

Year 2025, Volume: 22 Issue: 4, 1061 - 1071, 03.10.2025

Rabee Asmat Saadullah Oramari , Ismail Ibrahim Ismail Al-barwari , Ferda Karakuş

https://doi.org/10.33462/jotaf.1664830

Abstract

The objective of study was to determine the fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Akkaraman and Assaf x Akkaraman (ASF x AK) F1 crossbred male lambs obtained by crossing Assaf rams with Akkaraman ewes under breeding conditions. While the initial live weights of Akkaraman and (ASF x AK) F1 crossbred lambs were 23.89 kg and 23.77 kg, their final live weights were 41.02 kg and 44.03 kg (p<0.01), respectively. In 70 days of intensive fattening, purebred and crossbred lambs gained 17.14 kg and 20.26 kg total live weight, respectively. The feed intake of both groups for 1 kg live weight gain was 4.70 kg and 4.15 kg, respectively. Crossbred F1 lambs had significantly greater withers height (p<0.01) and body length (p<0.01) than Akkaraman lambs at all stages of fattening. At finishing, (ASF x AK) F1 lambs had the highest body length, larger chest, and leg circumferences than Akkaraman lambs. Among the slaughter and carcass characteristics of Akkaraman and (ASF x AK) F1 lambs, slaughter weight, cold carcass weight, untailed cold carcass weight, left half carcass weight, dressing percentage and the area of Musculus longissimus dorsi were determined to be 39.22 kg and 44.34 kg (p<0.05), 19.60 kg and 21.40 kg (p<0.05), 15.86 kg and 19.22 kg (p<0.01), 7.20 kg and 9.41 kg (p<0.001), 50.04% and 48.28%, 12.49 cm2 and 14.24 cm2, respectively. Crossbred F1 lambs had statistically significantly higher values for head, foot, skin, testes and kidney+pelvic fat weights than pure lambs. The tail weights of purebred and crossbred F1 lambs were determined to be 3.74 and 2.18 kg, respectively (p<0.001). The crossbred F1 lambs were found to have a higher leg weight (3.48 kg vs. 2.92 kg, p<0.01), forearm weight (1.80 kg vs. 1.44 kg, p<0.01), and flank-chest weight (1.39 kg vs. 0.92 kg, p<0.01) compared to Akkaraman lambs. As a result, (ASF x AK) F1 crossbred lambs were found to have better fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics than Akkaraman lambs.

Keywords

Crossbreeding , Intensive fattening , Lamb , Slaughter , Body measurement , Carcass

Ethical Statement

This research and all experimental procedures were carried out in accordance with ethical standards approved by Van Yüzüncü Yil University Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee (Approval no: 2022/08/19).

Supporting Institution

Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi

Thanks

This project was supported by Van Yüzüncü Yil University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit with the project number of FDK-2022-10334.

Akkaraman ve Asaf x Akkaraman Melezi F1 Kuzularının Besi Performansı ve Karkas Özellikleri

Abstract

Çalışmanın amacı, Asaf koçları ile Akkaraman koyunlarının yetiştirici koşullarında melezlenmesi ile elde edilen Akkaraman ve Asaf x Akkaraman (ASF x AK) F1 melezi erkek kuzuların besi performansı ve karkas özelliklerini belirlemektir. Akkaraman ve (ASF x AK) F1 melez kuzuların besi başı canlı ağırlıkları sırasıyla 23.89 kg ve 23.77 kg, besi sonu canlı ağırlıkları ise sırasıyla 41.02 kg ve 44.03 kg olarak bulunmuştur (p<0.01). Yetmiş günlük entansif besi sonunda saf ve melez kuzular sırasıyla 17.14 kg ve 20.26 kg toplam canlı ağırlık kazanmışlardır. Her iki grubun 1 kg canlı ağırlık artışı için yem tüketimi sırasıyla 4.70 kg ve 4.15 kg olarak belirlenmiştir. Melez F1 kuzuların, besi döneminin tüm aşamalarında cidago yüksekliği (p<0.01) ve vücut uzunluğu (p<0.01), Akkaraman kuzularına kıyasla önemli derecede daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Besi sonunda (ASF x AK) F1 kuzuları, Akkaraman kuzulara göre daha yüksek vücut uzunluğuna, daha büyük göğüs ve but çevrelerine sahip olmuştur. Akkaraman ve (ASF x AK) F1 kuzuların kesim ve karkas özelliklerinden kesimhane ağırlığı, soğuk karkas ağırlığı, kuyruksuz soğuk karkas ağırlığı, sol yarım karkas ağırlığı, karkas randımanı ve Musculus longissimus dorsi alanı sırasıyla 39.22 kg ve 44.34 kg (p<0.05), 19.60 kg ve 21.40 kg (p<0.05), 15.86 kg ve 19.22 kg (p<0.01), 7.20 kg ve 9.41 kg (p<0.001), %50.04 ve %48.28, 12.49 cm2 ve 14.24 cm2 olarak belirlenmiştir. Melez F1 kuzular, baş, ayak, post, testis ve böbrek+leğen yağ ağırlıkları bakımından Akkaraman kuzulardan istatistiksel olarak önemli derecede daha yüksek değerlere sahip olmuştur. Saf ve melez F1 kuzuların kuyruk ağırlığı sırasıyla 3.74 ve 2.18 kg olarak belirlenmiştir (p<0.001). Melez F1 kuzular, Akkaraman kuzulara kıyasla daha yüksek but ağırlığına (3.48 kg ve 2.92 kg, p<0.01), ön kol ağırlığına (1.80 kg ve 1.44 kg, p<0.01) ve etek ağırlığına (1.39 kg ve 0.92 kg, p<0.01) sahip olmuştur. Sonuç olarak, (ASF x AK) F1 melezi kuzuların Akkaraman kuzulara göre daha iyi besi performansı, kesim ve karkas özelliklerine sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

Keywords

Melezleme , Entansif besi , Kuzu , Kesim

Ethical Statement

Bu araştırma ve tüm deneysel işlemler Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Hayvan Deneyleri Yerel Etik Kurulu’nun (Onay no: 2022/08/19) onayladığı etik standartlara uygun olarak yürütülmüştür.

Supporting Institution

Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi

Thanks

Projeye verdiği destekten dolayı Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi'ne teşekkür ederiz.

References

• Abo Omar, J. and Abdallah, J. (2019). Performance of Assaf lambs fed two upgraded agricultural wastes. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology, 16(7): 455-461. https://doi.org/10.48048/wjst.2019.2711
• Al-Barwari, I. I. I. (2024). Determination of growth, fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Akkaraman and Assaf x Akkaraman (F₁) crossbred lambs in breeder conditions. (Ph.D. Thesis) Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Van, Türkiye. (In English)
• Anonymous (2009). Türkiye Domestic Animal Genetic Resources Introduction Catalogue. Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, General Directorate of Agricultural Research, https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/TAGEM/Belgeler/yayin/Katalog% 20T%C3%BCrk%C3%A7e.pdf (Accessed Date: 12.01.2025).
• Aydin, K. B., Bi, Y., Brito, L. F., Ulutaş, Z. and Morota, G. (2024). Review of sheep breeding and genetic research in Türkiye. Frontiers in Genetics, 15: 1308113. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2024.1308113
• Aytekin, İ., Karabacak, A. and Keskin, İ. (2015). Fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics of Akkaraman lambs. Selcuk Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2(1): 1-9.
• Ceyhan, A., Hanoglu, H., Sezenler, T. and Erdogan, I. (2008). The improvement studies on mutton sheep for Marmara region conditions 2. Fattening and carcass characteristics of lambs. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 14(6): 606-615.
• Ceyhan, A., Wilk, M., Asghar, M. U., Avcı, M., Hasan, M. U. and Tanrıkulu, M. M. (2024). Effect of cultivated pasture and intensive fattening on carcass traits and meat quality of Awassi lambs. Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 34(1): 242-252. https://doi:10.36899/JAPS.2024.1.0712
• Çolak, M., Tekin, M. E., Aktaş, A. H., Akay, N. and Canatan Yilmaz, T. (2013). Fattening performance and carcass traits of lambs obtained by crossing the Hasmer and Hasak sheep types with the Akkaraman breed. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 37: 337-345. https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-1112-27
• Colomer-Rocher, F., Morand-Fehr, P. and Kirton, A. H. (1987). Standard methods and procedures for goat carcass evaluation, jointing and tissue separation. Livestock Production Science, 17: 149-159.
• Dağ, B. and Ertuğrul, M. (1993). Fattening performance, slaughterig and carcass charactenstics of Karayaka and Border Leicester x Karayaka (Fı) crossbred male lambs. Lalahan Livestock Research Institute Journal, 33(3-4): 42-57.
• Güngör, Ö. F., Özbeyaz, C., Ünal, N., Çapar Akyüz, H., Arslan, R. and Akçapınar, H. (2022). Evaluation of the genotype and slaughter weight effect on the meat production traits: Comparison of fattening, slaughter, and carcass characteristics between two native sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 217: 106846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106846
• Jawasreh, K. I. Z., Al-Amareen, A. H. and Aad, P. Y. (2019). Growth performance and meat characteristics of the first filial Awassi-Rambouillet callipyge ram lambs. Veterinary World, 12(6): 783-788. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2019.783-788
• Kandemir, Ç., Takma, Ç. and Taşkın, T. (2024). A new perspective on Türkiye’s sheep population: classification with decision trees. Journal of Tekirdag Agricultural Faculty, 21(4): 966-979. https://doi.org/10.33462/jotaf.1390307
• Karakuş F. (2007). Growth, fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Karakaş and (Ile de France x Akkaraman B1) x Karakaş F1 and F2 crossbreed lambs. (Ph.D. Thesis) Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Van, Türkiye. (In Turksih)
• Khadre, A. A. B. A. and Karabacak, A. (2018). Comparison of fattening performance and carcass traits measurements of Akkaraman and Awassi male lambs. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 32(3): 542-548. https://doi.org/10.15316/SJAFS.2018.135
• Kutan, P. and Keskin, M. (2022). Lamb development traits and phenotypic correlations between different body measurements and fattening performance characteristics in Awassi sheep. Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 27(1): 109-114. https://doi.org/10.37908/mkutbd.1064499
• Mateo, J., Caro, I., Suarez-Vega, A., Carballo, D. E., Alonso-Garcia, M., Arranz, J. J. and Gutierrez-Gil, B. (2023). Relationships between growth-related traits with carcass and meat quality traits in Spanish Assaf suckling lambs. Livestock Science, 269: 105173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105173
• Mohapatra, A. and Shinde, A. K. (2018). Fat-tailed sheep-an important sheep genetic resource for meat production in tropical countries: An overview. Indian Journal of Small Ruminants, 24(1): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.5958/0973-9718.2018.00020.X
• Obeidat, M. D., Abdullah, A. Y., Kolib, S., Obeidat, B. S., Jawasreh, K. and Subih, H. S. (2019). Pre-weaning growth performance and carcass traits of Awassi and Chios-Awassi lambs. South African Journal of Animal Science, 49(1): 140-146. https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v49i1.16
• Pollott, G. E. and Gootwine, E. (2004). Reproductive performance and milk production of Assaf sheep in an intensive management system. Journal of Dairy Science, 87(11): 3690-3703. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73508-0
• Rodriguez, A. B., Bodas, R., Landa, R., Lopez-Campos, O., Mantecon, A. R. and Giraldez, F. J. (2011). Animal performance, carcass traits and meat characteristics of Assaf and Merino x Assaf growing lambs. Livestock Science, 138(1-3): 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2010.11.020
• Rodriguez, A. B., Landa, R., Bodas, R., Prieto, N., Mantecon, A. R. and Giraldez, F. J. (2008). Carcass and meat quality of Assaf milk fed lambs: effect of rearing system and sex. Meat Science, 80: 225-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.11.023
• Saro, C., Mateo, J., Caro, I., Carballo, D. E., Fernandez, M., Valdes, C., Bodas, R. and Giraldez, F. J. (2020). Effect of dietary crude protein on animal performance, blood biochemistry profile, ruminal fermentation parameters and carcass and meat quality of heavy fattening Assaf lambs. Animals, 10: 2177. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112177
• SAS (2022). PC SAS User’s Guide: Statistics. SAS Inst., Cary, N.C., USA.
• Selvi, T. N. and Üstüner, H. (2021). Some fertility traits and growth characteristics of Kivircik sheep breed in the extensive farm conditions. Journal of Research in Veterinary Medicine, 40(2): 116-119. https://doi.org/10.30782/jrvm.995392
• Shaker, M. M., Abdullah, A. Y., Kridli, R. T., Blaha, J., Sada, I. and Sovjak, R. (2002). Fattening performance and carcass value of Awassi ram lambs, F1 crossbreds of Romanov x Awassi and Charollais x Awassi in Jordan. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 47(10): 429-438.
• TUIK (2024). Turkish Statistical Institute. https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=101&locale=en. (Accessed Date: 23.03.2025).
• Üçtepe, A. (2016). Quantitative consideration of cross breeding studies conducted in Turkey to improve fattening features in sheep. Journal of Tekirdag Agricultural Faculty, 13(02): 75-84.
• Ünal, N., Akçapınar, H., Aytaç, M. and Atasoy, F. (2006). Fattening performance and carcass traits in crossbred ram lambs. Medycyna Wet, 62(4): 401-404.
• Yaralı, E. (2020). Comparison of fattening, slaughtering and carcass characteristics of different genotype lambs grown in Turkey. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 54(12): 1590-1594. https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.B-1200