Potential of Omani Jebel Akhdar goat for meat production under feedlot conditions

Omani Jebel Akhdar goats fed ad libitum a concentrate diet (16.5% CP) and Rhodesgrass hay (8.8% CP) were reared from birth until slaughter at 11, 18 and 28 kg body weight. Bucks were heavier than does at birth, grew rapidly (144 g/day) and reached predetermined weights earlier than wethers and does. The dressing percentage (DO) at 28 kg body weight were 54, 53 and 55%, respectively, in bucks, wethers and does. Corresponding estimates for carcass weight were 14.1, 13.7 and 13.9 kg, for muscle 64, 62.5 and 61.5%, for bone 15.6, 16.0 and 13.1, and for fat 16.1, 17.7 and 21.3%, respectively. As body weight increased there was a decline in proportions of bone in the carcass and the muscle–fat ratio and an increase in proportions of bone in the carcass and the muscle–fat ratio. Correspondingly, there was an increase in non-carcass organs, i.e. fat and muscle–bone ratio while muscle remained unchanged. Bucks had less fat and more bone and muscles and higher proportions of heads, skin and feet in the empty body weight at 28 kg than does. In conclusions intact males, raised under a feedlot system grew rapidly and had acceptable carcass composition. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved