Effect of crosses and different ages at slaughter on carcass characteristics and meat quality of goat kids

Context The fate of kids born in dairy goat production systems is a growing concern. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality of Saanen and Saanen × Boer goat kids slaughtered at 30 and 60 days of age. Methods We used 32 entire male goats, suckler and with access to solid food from 30 to 60 days, distributed in a completely randomised design, in a 2 (breed) × 2 (age at slaughter) factorial arrangement. We evaluated animal performance, carcass characteristics, instrumental analyses of the Quadriceps femoral muscle, and consumer perception. Key results There was no interaction between breed and age of the goats (P > 0.05) on the initial and final liveweight, weight gain, cold carcass weight, hot carcass weight, and hot and cold carcass yields. However, age at slaughter influenced these variables (P < 0.05). The breed did not influence pH, meat colour, water-retention capacity, weight loss by cooking, or shear force (P > 0.05). However, shear force increased when goats were slaughtered at 60 days of age (P < 0.05). The muscle pH determined at 24 h after slaughter, and lipid oxidation, were lower in the meat of goats slaughtered at 60 days of age (P < 0.05), but did not differ between breeds. Higher consumer scores for flavour and appearance (P < 0.05) were attributed to the meat of crossbred animals in sensory analysis. Conclusions Slaughtering goat kids at 60 days of age (versus 30 days of age) is an alternative for improving some aspects of meat quality. We recommend crossing Saanen × Boer to increase consumer acceptance of meat. Implications This study is important for Saanen goat kids producers to understand that crossbreeding with the Boer breed improves carcass characteristics and meat acceptance by consumers.