Investigation of the usability of the difference in body structure as a breeding method in unselected sheep flocks (I-Fattening Performance- slaughter and carcass characteristics)

This study investigated the development of a meat-type sheep strain by using the differences in body structure in Kangal Akkaraman an indigenous sheep breed of Türkiye. The control group consisted of 15 male lambs born to ewes with dairy-type (DT) body structure and the experimental group consisted of 15 male lambs born to ewes with meat-type (MT) body structure. The sheep in the DT group were selected for their elegant, clear bony lines; long, thin neck; triangular body structure that widens from front to rear; and the leg length longer than the depth of the chest. In selecting sheep for the MT group, care was taken to ensure that the neck was short and thick, the body was wide and deep, and the depth of the chest and length of the legs were similar. The fattening performance and carcass characteristics of the lambs in the MT and DT groups were compared at 2 slaughter weights (42 and 54 kg). During the first 46 days of fattening, the daily weight gain (DWG) was 0.289 kg in the MT group and 0.257 kg in the DT group (p = 0.022), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was 4.990 and 5.655 (p = 0.020), respectively. Similar results were obtained in both groups after 46 days of fattening. The dressing percentage changed in the MT group (p < 0.05) but not in the DT group (p > 0.05) as slaughter weight increased from 42 kg to 54 kg. Carcass lean, bone, and fat proportions were similar between groups at the same slaughter weight.