Effect of Gender on Growth and Carcass Traits of Romney Marsh Lambs

Abstract

The aim of present study was to assess the effect of the gender on growth and carcass traits in lambs of the Romney Marsh breed. The experimental animals were male lambs (n = 12) and female lambs (n = 12) of the Romney Marsh breed. All lambs were twins and all their mothers were on the second parity. With regard to body weights and daily gains (DGs), the gender had a significant effect only on birth weight and DG from birth to the slaughter, while in all monitored intervals the DGs were higher in male lambs (MLs). The lamb gender did not have a significant effect on the easy of lambing, body condition score, depth of musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (DMLLT) and thickness of backfat (TBF). However, values for DMLLT and TBF were higher in female lambs (FLs), which in case of DMLLT was not expected. Regarding the carcass traits, the gender had a significant effect only on the weights of kidney, kidney fat, leg and shoulder and on the proportions of kidney fat and shoulder. Interestingly, the gender had no significant effect on the conformation and fatness, while slightly better carcass conformation and slightly higher fatness were found in FLs. It can be concluded that FLs of the Romney Marsh breed showed comparable values for both the growth and carcass traits with MLs. Moreover, a slightly higher fatness of FLs is a prerequisite for better juiciness and tenderness of their meat, when this fact can be considered as a benefit in the marketing.