A comparison of the development of body components in Sudan desert sheep and goats.

Abstract

Sixty-six male Sudan desert sheep and a similar number of Sudan desert goats representing different weight classes of sheep and goats commonly slaughtered in the local market were killed and carcass data collected. The patterns of the relative increase in weight of the components of the body were similar in both species with the exception of the skin, tail, liver and loin cut. At 30 kg empty bodyweight the goat yields a heavier carcass, omentum and head but a lighter skin, tail and feet than sheep. At 15 kg carcass weight goats possess less meat in the leg and plate cuts, but more meat in the loin and shoulder cuts.