Production and carcass quality of thin-tailed sheep fed diets containing protected and unprotected soybean groats

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding protected and unprotected soybean groats with different ratios on production and carcass quality of male thin-tailed sheep (TTS). The TTS were fattened for 3 months with an average initial weight of 24.09 ± 1.26 kg. Treatments consist of P1=protected and unprotected soybean groats 10%:5%, P2=protected and unprotected soybean groats 7.5%:7.5% and P3=protected and unprotected soybean groats 5%:10%. Data were analysed using a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replications. The variables observed in this study were the slaughter weight, percentage (carcass, non-carcass, meat, fat), fleshing index, rib eye muscle (longissimus dorsi) area, and meat bone ratio. This study displayed significant improvement from treatment using 10% protected + 5% unprotected soybean groats (P1), having the highest meat and fat percentage, as well as meat bone ratio. Inclusion of protected soybean groats in the diet up to 10% level had limited effect (P>0.05) on slaughter weight, carcass percentage, non-carcass percentage, fleshing index, and rib eye muscle area. This study suggests the combination of soybean groats in the diet in the form of protected:unprotected (10%:5%) provide significant improvement on carcass characteristics, while maintaining quality of carcass in the thin-tailed sheep. Further study on meat quality attributes from these supplementations requires deeper exploration.