Effect of crossbreeding with Romanov breeds on fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics and meat quality of Awassi ram lambs

The aim of this study was to examine the fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of Awassi and Romanov x Awassi (ROA) (F1) ram lambs. Twenty -eight -ram lambs were allocated into two groups according to their genotype, and were fattened for 84 days. Initial and final body weights were 26.57 kg and 45.75 kg for Awassi ram lambs, 25.89 kg and 36.75 kg for ROA (F1) ram lambs, respectively. The initial body weight and feed efficiency were similar while the final body weight and daily weight gain differed between the two genotypes being greater for the Awassi. At the ends of study, 8 lambs from each genotype were randomly selected and slaughtered to evaluate the carcass and meat quality characteristics. Slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weights were 42.07 kg, 19.50 kg and 19.01 kg for Awassi ram lambs, 33.03 kg, 15.25 kg and 14.85 kg for ROA (F1) ram lambs. The slaughter traits were significantly affected by the genotype and the highest weights were also recorded for Awassi genotype. Dressing percentages were not affected by genotype. Awassi had higher eye muscle area and fat tail percentage compared with ROA genotype. Moreover, meat quality traits were not affected by the lamb's genotype. Although lower fat tail weight was obtained from ROA (F1) crossbred lambs, it is clearly understood from the available data that pure Awassi lambs were superior to ROA (F1) crossbreeds in terms of economically important characteristics such as final weight, daily weight gain, slaughter weight and some carcass traits.