FATTENING AND SOME CARCASS CHARACTERIRICS OF MERIZ AND NATIVE GOAT MALE KIDS RAISED IN EITHER CONCENTRATE OR PASTURE CONDITIONS

The aim of this study was to determine the fattening and carcass characteristics of Meriz and goat kids raised in either intensive or pasture conditions. Twelve intact weaned male kids from each of Meriz and goat were weighed and blocked into three groups according to different feeding systems for 90 days. The 1st group was given ad libitum concentrate mixture (intensive), the 2nd was freely grazed on pasture for 45 days and then transferred to having ad libitum concentrate for 45 days (Semi-intensive), the 3rd one was freely grazed on pasture (extensive). At the end of the experiment, all kids were weighed, slaughtered and the weight of their carcass was recorded. Daily gain in weight averaged 0.060.008 kg, the difference between breeds was not significant. Kids raised intensively surpassed significantly (p<0.05) kids on semi-intensive and on pasture (0.10, 0.06 and 0.02 kg /day) respectively. Also breed has no significant effect on carcass and edible and non-edible organs weight or percentages (except the weight of pelt and the percentage of pelt and feet). Intensively and semi-intensively raised kids had significantly (p<0.01) higher carcasses, dressing percentages, larger eye muscle area and thicker of fat thickness than those raised on pasture.