Awassi Ram Lambs Research Articles

Carcass characteristics of Awassi ram lambs slaughtered at different weights

Thirty Awassi ram lambs were used to study the effects of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics. Lambs were slaughtered at three different live weights (20, 30, and 40 kg). Empty body weight, hot and cold carcass weights and non-carcass components increased ( P < 0.001) at a steady rate between all slaughter weights. Body length, leg length, maximum shoulder width, width behind shoulders and gigot width increased ( P < 0.001) as slaughter weight increased from 20 to 40 kg. Linear dimensions measured on the surface of the M. Longissimus also increased ( P < 0.001) with increasing slaughter weight. The ratio between width and depth of the longissimus muscle decreased ( P < 0.01) at a steady rate between 20 and 40 kg indicating that the muscle increased more in depth than width. Dressing-out percentage was higher ( P < 0.001) for lambs slaughtered at 30 kg live weight compared to other weights. Total lean and total bone decreased ( P < 0.05) as a percent of cold carcass weight while total fat, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat percentages increased ( P < 0.05) with increasing weight. Subcutaneous fat percentage was not affected by increasing body weight between 20 and 30 kg. Intermuscular fat percent was higher in all cuts except the leg where subcutaneous fat % was higher. Muscle to bone ratio increased ( P < 0.001) while muscle to fat ratio decreased ( P < 0.001) with increasing body weight in the four major cuts and the whole carcass. In conclusion, slaughtering Awassi ram lambs at weights up to 30 kg resulted in higher dressing-out percentage and better carcass characteristics than ram lambs slaughtered at heavier weights.

Sexual activity and puberty in pure Awassi and crosses and backcrosses with Charollais and Romanov sheep breeds

The aim of this experiment was to study sexual activity, scrotal circumference and the occurrence of puberty in five breed groups of ram lambs. Awassi (A, n = 8), F1 Charollais‐Awassi (CA, n = 5), backcrossed Awassi‐Charollais‐Awassi (ACA, n = 9), F1 Romanov‐Awassi (RA, n = 9) and backcrossed Awassi‐Romanov‐Awassi (ARA, n = 8) ram lambs were randomly selected at weaning to be used in this study. Sexual activity was observed weekly by introducing two oestrous ewes into each m ale group for a period of 20 min. At the time of first expressed sexual interest in females, body weights (BW) (P < 0.05) and scrotal circumferences (SC) (P < 0.001) differed among ram breed groups, while age and testosterone concentrations were similar. Weights at puberty were similar among the ram breed groups. Puberty, however, occurred earlier (P < 0.01) in CA, RA and ACA than in A and ARA ram lambs. At puberty, testosterone concentrations were similar while SC were greater (P < 0.01) in CA, ACA and RA than in ARA ram lambs. However, greater (P < 0.05) testosterone concentrations were observed in crossbred than in Awassi ram lambs throughout the study. Similarly, BW and SC were greater (P < 0.05) in CA, RA and ACA than in A and ARA ram lambs throughout the study. Results of the present study indicate that crossbreeding Awassi with Charollais and Romanov sheep breeds improved reproductive parameters in the F1 crosses and the backcrossed ACAmales compared with the ARA backcrosses and pure Awassi ram lambs. The fact that age differed among ram groups while BW at puberty did not, indicates that body weight is more important than age for puberty occurrence.

Sexual behaviour of yearling Awassi, Charollais × Awassi and Romanov × Awassi rams exposed to oestrousAwassi ewes

This study was conducted to evaluate the sexual performance of 10-month-old, ram lambs of different breed groups. Eight ram lambs each of Awassi (A), F1 CharollaisxAwassi (CA) and F1 RomanovxAwassi (RA) breed types were subjected to sexual performance tests by being individually exposed to two oestrous Awassi ewe lambs for four 20-min periods. Bouts of leg kicking and anogenital sniffing were similar among breed groups. Mounting frequency was greater (p<0.05) in RA than in A and CA ram lambs. Tail-raising was greater (p<0.05) and mating rate tended to be greater (p<0.10) in A than in RA and CA ram lambs. The number of mounts per tail-raising (efficiency) was influenced by breed group and test day (p<0.05). Awassi ram lambs maintained the best efficiency throughout the experiment. Efficiency in RA and CA ram lambs improved with each test day. Results of the present study indicate that RA ram lambs have greater mounting frequency than A and CA, while Awassi are more capable of mating with fat-tailed females than the CA and RA ram lambs.

The effect of heat load on nutrient utilization and blood parameters of Awassi sheep and Kilis goat fed different levels of concentrate feed

This study was carried out to determine the head load effect on nutrient utilization and blood parameters of Awassi ram lambs and male Kilis goats fed different concentrate levels. Eight Awassi ram lambs (29.63 ± 3.5 kg) and 8 Kilis male goats (29.72 ± 3.01 kg) at same age (6-7 months) for apparent digestion trials were used as experimental animals. Experiment was arranged in 2 x 2 factorial in which season animal species (sheep versus goat), and concentrate level (80 versus 50%) were the main effects to be investigated. Animal species had a significant effect on DMI and ram lambs consumed more DM than goats (2.64 vs 2.38 %of BW) (P < 0.05). Increment of concentrate feed level improved DM, OM and CP digestibility due to decreasing level of straw which has very low digestibility comparison with concentrate feed. Increasing concentrate level decreased ADF (50.29 vs 38.21) and NDF (51.27 vs 43.49) digestibility. Animal species effect on rectal temperature was found significant (P < 0.05) with animal species x concentrate level (39.23 vs 39.33 °C for goat and 40.05 vs 39.53 °C for sheep). As a conclusion, Awassi ram lambs and Kilis goats exposed to head load and fed different levels of concentrate had similar nutrient utilization and blood parameters levels. Goat had better heat dissipating capacity.

Sexual performance of Awassi ram lambs reared in different sex composition groups

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex composition of the group of lambs before puberty on later sexual performance in Awassi ram lambs. Thirteen Awassi ram lambs of the same age were raised in either all-male group ( n = 7) or in a group mixed with females ( n = 6) from weaning to puberty. Blood samples, body weights (BW) and scrotal circumferences (SC) of ram lambs were recorded between eight and 10 months of age. Sexual performance testing was performed at 9 months of age by individually exposing ram lambs to oestrous females on five occasions. Body weight and SC were greater ( P < 0.01) in the all-male compared with the mixed group. Plasma testosterone concentrations were not influenced ( P > 0.05) by treatment. Plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly correlated ( P ≤ 0.05) with BW ( r = 0.3) and SC ( r = 0.4). No treatment effects were detected regarding bouts of leg-kicking. Bouts of anogenital sniffing, the frequency of mount attempts and mounting frequency were greater ( P < 0.05) in the all-male group. Even though the frequency of raising the fat tail of females was similar between the two treatments, the mixed group tended to be ( P = 0.08) more efficient in doing so than the all-male group (higher tail raising/mount). Results of the current study indicate that mixing groups of ram and ewe lambs before puberty may be insufficient to improve later sexual performance of ram lambs.

The effect of heat load on nutrient utilization and blood parameters of Awassi ram lambs fed different types and levels of forages

This study was carried out to determine the season effect (heat load) on nutrient utilization and blood-rumen parameters of Awassi ram lambs fed different levels and types of forages. Total sixteen 2-year-old Awassi ram lambs (44.3 ± 1.5 kg) for each apparent digestion trials were used as experimental animals. Experiment was arranged in 2 × 2 × 2 factorial in which season (summer versus fall), forage type (wheat straw versus alfalfa hay), and forage level (30% versus 70%) were the main effects to be investigated. Season and forage type did not affect dry matter intake (DMI) of ram lambs. Changing forage level from 70 to 30% increased DMI of ram lambs ( P < 0.05). Daily water consumption of ram lambs was altered by season and forage type ( P < 0.05). Dry matter and organic matter (OM) digestibilities in diets were affected by forage type and forage level ( P < 0.05), however season affect was only observed in OM digestibilities ( P < 0.05). While ADF digestibilities were changed by season and forage type, NDF digestibilities were only affected by season ( P < 0.05). Season altered pH values of rumen fluid ( P < 0.05) and during the summer pH values were lower than fall (5.87 versus 6.34). Serum Ca and K concentrations were affected by forage type and forage level ( P < 0.05) but not season ( P > 0.05). Serum Cl concentrations were changed by forage level ( P < 0.05) but not season and forage type ( P > 0.05). Effect of season (heat load) in this study was lower than expected probably due to low level of humidity.

Effect of replacing urea with fish meal in finishing diet on performance of Awassi lamb under heat stress

An in situ trial and a finishing trial were conducted to evaluate replacing urea (U) with fish meal (FM) in finishing lamb diet. Three ruminally canulated Awassi ram lambs were used in situ trial to determine rumen undegraded intake protein (UIP) of U and FM containing diets fed to lambs in finishing trial. Twenty Awassi lambs (3–4 month old) were randomly allotted to dietary treatments into equal numbers for each diet containing either U or FM as a supplemental protein source in a completely randomized design. In finishing trial, diets were available on an ad libitum basis (105% of actual intake) during 60 d under heat stress condition (average daily temperature 31.6 °C with lowest 24.4 °C and highest 38.3 °C). According to in situ trial, UIP value of urea and fish meal diets were determined 2.70 and 6.18% of DM diet, respectively. In finishing trial, replacing U with FM in diet increased average daily gain (0.236 kg/d versus 0.268 kg/d; P = 0.05). DMI of lambs was not affected by the protein source ( P < 0.05). Feed efficiency (kg gain/kg DMI) was better (0.226 kg/d versus 0.252 kg/d) for FM containing diets for only the first 40 d of trial ( P = 0.03). Dietary protein source did not alter rectal body temperature, blood glucose, urea, and total protein levels ( P > 0.05). As a result, UIP source of FM can improve the finishing performance of Awassi lambs especially first 40 d of the finishing period under heat stress.

Milk intake and growth rate of Awassi lambs sucking ewes grazing on natural pasture in the semi-arid Negev

AbstractWe determined milk intake and growth rate of fat-tailed Awassi ram lambs from birth to 30 days of age when sucking ewes that were grazing natural green pasture in the semi-arid Negev. The conversion of milk and energy intake to body mass and body solids gain in the lambs were calculated. Annual rainfall and, as a consequence, pasture availability were below average during the study. Body mass at birth was 4·22 (s.d. 0·71) kg and at 30 days was 12·10 (s.d.1·22) kg for an average daily gain of 256 (s.d.33) g/day. Of the 256 g/day, 100 (s.d.12·3) g/day were body solids, and for every unit body mass increase, proportionately 0·391 was body solids. Milk and energy intakes averaged 1·34 (s.d.0·23) l/day and 5·66 (s.d.0·97) MJ/day, respectively. The volume of milk intake per kg increase in body mass and body solids were 5·2 l and 13·4 l, respectively, whereas, the energy intake per kg increase in body mass and body solids were 22·1 MJ and 56·6 MJ, respectively. Of the total metabolizable milk energy intake, proportionately 0·46 was converted to body energy of the lamb. Although dry matter intake of the ewes was insufficient to prevent body mass loss, they produced sufficient milk to support a relatively high lamb growth rate, presumably by mobilizing fat reserves in the tail.

Development of testicular dimensions and size, and their relationship to age, body weight and parental size in growing Awassi ram lambs

Ninety-six Awassi ram lambs, aged 2–3 months, raised and managed under a semi intensive system were used to measure development of testicular length, width, circumference and volume, and their association with development of body growth. The effects of parental size, age and body weight of lambs, production line (dairy or meat), type of birth and weight at birth and weaning on development of the four testicular parameters from weaning at 2–17 months of age were investigated. No significant differences were observed between measurements of the left and right testis. The highest increase in testicular parameters occurred between 7 and 10 months of age at 34.6 kg live body weight. Only parental size, age and body weight affected testicular growth ( P<0.05). Measurements of testes were correlated ( P<0.01) with each other ( r=0.68–0.97). They increased progressively and were correlated with body weight more than with age.

Effect of Slaughter Weight on Carcass Characteristics of Awassi Male Lambs

Abstract Bicer, O., Guney, O. and Pekel, E. 1995. Effects of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics of Awassi male lambs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 8: 85–90. Sixteen Awassi ram lambs were slaughtered at 40, 50, 55, 60 and 65 kg liveweight to determine their carcass composition and characteristics. The carcasses were jointed into neck, forelegs, thorax, loin, pelvis and hindlegs. Each joint was dissected into bone, lean, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat. Most of the carcass characteristics increased when lambs were slaughtered at 50 kg liveweight. Carcass length, skin weight and most of the fat estimating parameters continued to increase with increase in slaughter weight. The mean carcass bone and lean content values as a percentage of carcass weight decreased from 19.6 and 53.7% at 40 kg slaughter group to 14.4 and 45.5% at 65 kg slaughter group. The subcutaneous fat (SCF) increased from 40 to 65 kg slaughter group (16.4 to 26.0%). It can be said that the optimum carcass with an acceptable composition f...

Effects of docking on growth performance and carcass characteristics of fat-tailed Awassi ram lambs

Fifteen Awassi ram lambs were docked at 1 day of age by the elastrator method and 13 intact lambs were kept as controls. They were kept separately in two pens and fed a concentrate diet ad-libitum from weaning at 8 weeks of age until about 40 kg liveweight. Daily liveweight gain, group feed efficiency and the duration of fattening period for docked lambs were 266 g, 3.8 and 84 days vs. 230 g, 4.3 and 98 days for controls, respectively. None of the differences was significant ( P > 0.05). Carcass measurements taken on four docked and four intact lambs indicated that dressing percentage was similar (48.6 and 48.7%) for both groups. Compared to intact lambs, those docked had significantly ( P < 0.05) less lean (47.4 vs. 52.8%) and higher intermuscular fat (IMF) content (9.7 vs. 7.7%). It is suggested that by leaving fat-tail lambs intact, fat deposition in the carcass can be better controlled enabling excess fat to be trimmed as one easily removable depot in the tail.

Slaughter weights, carcass weights and dressing percentages of five breeds of sheep slaughtered in Saudi Arabia

Data for slaughter and carcass weights of 1350 Najdi, Awassi, Barbary, Turkish, and Merino cross ram lambs were collected at Bureidah abbatoir, Central Saudi Arabia. Within age groups, Awassi and Turkish lambs had the heaviest mean slaughter and carcass weights, followed by Merinos, Najdi and then Barbary. Pooled breed averages for slaughter and carcass weights increased with age. The dressing-out percentage ranged from 54.8 to 56.8%, but differences between most of the breed-age groups were not significant. The percentages of lambs slaughtered at different ages varied according to breed. Mean slaughter weights varied from month to month, both within and between breeds. Carcass weight was not affected by month of slaughter. Regressions of carcass weight on liveweight indicated significant differences between breeds and were used to develop equations for predicting carcass weight and dressing-out percentage.