The effect of feeding groundnut hay and concentrates on some carcass characteristics of Sudanese Desert lambs (tribal subtypes Hamari and Kabashi) in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Twelve Desert lambs; six Hamari tribal subtype and similar number of Kabashi subtype) were used in the experiment. Their age was four months with average weight of 25.25 Kg. Six lambs (three from each subtype, received a fattening ration and the other six lambs were kept on natural grazing (control). At the end of the experimental period of 60 days all lambs were slaughtered for studying meat characteristics. Slaughter weight (SWt.), empty body weight (EBW) and hot carcass weight of pen fed lambs had considerably higher values (P <0.01) compared to free grazing animals. In addition, the dressing percentage (D %), Longissmus dorsi (L. dorsi) muscle area and the width of tail base followed the same trend. Kabashi lambs showed greater values (P <0.01)  for most carcass traits compared with Hamari ones. Also pen fed lambs had higher (P <0.01) percentages of fat and muscle in carcass and a decreased percentage of bone compared to the free grazing animals. Kabashi lambs, especially the pen fed, had higher percentages (P<0.01) for fat and lean whereas Hamari animals on the same feed had the highest (P <0.01)  total bone percentage. Subtype and feeding system had significant effects on D %, L. dorsi muscle area and tail base. Higher values (P <0.01)  for these parameters were noticed in pen fed Kabashi lambs. Also subtype × feeding system interactions had significant (P<0.01) effects on D %, L. dorsi muscle area and tail base width.