Twenty-four Jonica kids, artificially reared, were used: ten kids (six male and four female) weaned at 45 days of age and 14 (eight male and six female) at 60 days. From the beginning of the trial (45 d of age) up to 70th day, all kids were given a commercial complete mixed feed for weaning that, in the following phase (70-170 d), was replaced by a commercial fattening ration. Kids weaned later at 60 days showed a better feed conversion, a higher final weight (P<0.05), a lower yield loss, better dressing percentage, better shaped carcasses and more tender (P<0.01), higher water content (P<0.05) and darker LD muscle. These results show the drawbacks of early weaning of kids.
Influence of weaning age on productive performance of kids slaughtered at 107 days of age
MARSICO, Giuseppe;CENTODUCATI, Pasquale;
1993-01-01
Abstract
Twenty-four Jonica kids, artificially reared, were used: ten kids (six male and four female) weaned at 45 days of age and 14 (eight male and six female) at 60 days. From the beginning of the trial (45 d of age) up to 70th day, all kids were given a commercial complete mixed feed for weaning that, in the following phase (70-170 d), was replaced by a commercial fattening ration. Kids weaned later at 60 days showed a better feed conversion, a higher final weight (P<0.05), a lower yield loss, better dressing percentage, better shaped carcasses and more tender (P<0.01), higher water content (P<0.05) and darker LD muscle. These results show the drawbacks of early weaning of kids.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.