@article{MAKHILLJAVA20109182395, title = {The Effects of Early Castration on Slaughter and Carcass Characteristics of Norduz Male Kids}, journal = {Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances}, volume = {9}, number = {18}, pages = {2382-2385}, year = {2010}, issn = {1680-5593}, doi = {javaa.2010.2382.2385}, url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1680-5593&doi=javaa.2010.2382.2385}, author = {Askin and}, keywords = {subcutaneous fat,chop,Dressing percentage,carcass jointing,leg,omental fat}, abstract = {This study examined the effects of early castration on slaughter and carcass characteristics of Norduz goat male kids. Animal material consisted of 25 male kids divided into two groups-an early castrated group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 12). All animals were weaned at 3 months and then subjected to an 85 days fattening period. Kids were fed with a ration of concentrate (16.6% crude protein and 10.6 MJ kg-1 DM ME) ad libitum +200 g sainfoin per kid twice daily. At the end of the fattening period, eight kids from each group were slaughtered to determine carcass characteristics. Significant differences (p<0.01) were found in the slaughter weights of castrated (24.84±0.465 kg) and intact (30.41±1.061 kg) kids. Cold carcass weights of castrated (9.40±0.230 kg) and intact (11.53±0.544 kg) kids also varied significantly (p<0.05). Muscle, bone, subcutaneous fat and intermuscular fat percentages in the chop region for intact and castrated groups were, respectively, 43.15±0.822 and 41.48±0.579%; 24.60±1.026 and 26.84±0.750%; 7.66±0.711 and 10.21±0.615%; 7.48±0.506 and 7.25±0.693%. It was concluded that early castration had no significant on the carcass characteristics of Norduz male kids.} }