Peri and Post Slaughter Defect Assessment of Sheep and Goat Skin in Selected Districts of Borana Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was employed to assess peri and post slaughter defect of sheep and goat skin in selected districts of Borana Zone. Two districts (Dire and Yabelo) were purposively selected based on livestock population and accessibility of sheep and goat skins supply. A total of 1440 skins (960 goat and 480 sheep skins) were randomly selected to assess the observable defects using close observation. Both sheep and goat skins were graded according to the standard set by Ethiopian Quality and Standard Authority. All the examined skin had one or more types of defects. The major defects observed on fresh goat's skin were poor pattern (38.83%), dirt (36.66%) and flay cut (33.83%). In wet salted goat skin the dominant defects were poor pattern (32.22%), dirt (28.88%) and flay cut (26.66%). Whereas, in fresh sheep skins a higher prevalence of defects were poor pattern (36.66%), dirt (31.94%) and corduroying (30.83%). In wet salted sheep skin the higher prevalence defects were poor pattern (50.83%), dirt (44.16%) and corduroying (28.33%). The grading of the fresh goat skins according to their rank was Grade II (40.83%), Grade I (31.33%) and Grade III (21.33%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. The grading of the wet salted goat skins according to their rank was Grade II (40.27%), Grade I (30.27%) and Grade III (21.94%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. The grading of the fresh sheep skins according to their rank was Grade II (40.55%), Grade I (26.66%) and Grade III (20.55%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. The grading of the wet salted sheep skins according to their rank was Grade II (42.5%), Grade I (31.66%) and Grade III (13.33%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. This indicates that most defects on skins occurred during and after slaughtering operations. Therefore, more attention should be taken during and after slaughtering of animals to get quality skins for national as well as international market, and maximize the country's foreign currency exchange.