Proportion and allometric growth of the non-carcass components of lambs Texel slaughtered at different weights

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the proportion regarding the empty body weight, and the allometric growth of non-carcass components of Texel lambs finished in feedlot and slaughtered at different weights. It was used 30 male lambs, non-castrated and simple delivered. The lambs were weaned at 50 day-old, individually confined and distributed in five treatments with six repetitions and each treatment with a predetermined slaughter weight (T23 – initial slaughter, T25, T30, T35 and T40 kg body weight). The proportions of lung+trachea, abomasum, small intestine, large intestine, head and legs decreased and the proportion of testicles increased linearly according to the improvement on the slaughter weight of lambs. The body components as liver, diaphragm, rumen, reticulum, omasun, skin, tongue, testicles, internal fat and kidney fat present late development. On the other way, lung+trachea, esophagus, heart, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, abomasum, small intestine, large intestine, blood, head, feet and penis are body components that present early development.