INFLUENCE OF FEEDING PANICUM MOMBASA AND ALFALFA GRASS ON CARCASS TRAITS OF ARABI LAMBS

Abstract

To study the effect of feeding two different types of green fodder (Panicum or Alfalfa) on carcass characteristics after a period of ninety days of fattening, twenty-four Arabi lambs were used and divided into three groups: the first group (control) was fed a standard ration with an outing to grazing. The second and third groups reared on the standard ration with Panicum or Alfalfa, respectively. It was found from the results of the statistical analysis of the study data that there was a significant superiority between the two groups of Alfalfa and Panicum (P≤0.05) in live body weight, hot and cold carcass weights, and the percentage of weight at slaughter and the empty weight compared to the control group. While the weight of the tail fat decreased significantly in the Panicum group lambs carcasses compared to the control groups, a significant decrease (P≤0.05) was recorded in abdominal fat and a significant increase in the rib eye area of the Panicum group. While the muscle weight was significantly increased when performing a physical dissection of the three ribs of lamb carcasses fed on Panicum. In general, the two groups of Alfalfa and Panicum excelled in most carcass characteristics, and the lambs of the Panicum group recorded the best carcass traits.