Comparison of growth and dressing percent between intact male castrated male and female kids of australian bush goats
Allan, C.J.; Holst, P.J.
Small Ruminant Research 2(1): 63-68
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0921-4488 DOI: 10.1016/0921-4488(89)90017-5Document Number: 497647
Effect of kid castration on growth and carcass weight was compared between 43 castrated males, 59 intact males and 63 female kids from birth to 180 days of age. Intact male kids grew faster than castrates and both were superior to females which resulted in female kids being significantly lighter than males at the same age. High preweaning growth rates for all sexes (140-170 g/day) were followed by a postweaning depression. When the kids were slaughtered between 20 and 26 kg liveweight, effects of sex on carcass weight and dressing percent were noticed. At 20 kg liveweight, the dressing percentage of castrated males was higher than of females, which was greater than of intact males. However, at 26 kg, intact male kids had the highest dressing percentage.