Slaughter and carcass characteristics of Gokceada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen suckling kids

Abstract. Aim of the study was to investigate comparatively the slaughter and carcass characteristics of Gokceada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen suckling kids. Eight suckling male kids at 80–90 days of age from each genotype were used in the study. The kids were collected from dairy goat farms and slaughtered after lairage of an overnight period. Although the kids were at similar age and sex, the slaughter weight and chilled carcass weight of indigenous Gokceada kids were lower than those of Maltese and Turkish Saanen kids (P<0.001). Chilled dressing percentage calculated according to empty body weight was 48.97 % in Gokceada, 51.32 % in Maltese and 52.35 % in Turkish Saanen kids (P<0.001). There were not statistically significant differences among the breeds in terms of neck, shoulder, ribs and long leg percentages, musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) section area and back fat thickness (P>0.05). While there were significant differences between breeds in terms of muscle, bone and fat weights in half carcass on the side of Turkish Saanen and Maltese kids, the differences between the genotypes were not significant for percentages of muscle, bone and fat. The carcass structure of suckling kids was small and meat production was low, however, they had very little fat in the carcass. It was concluded that Maltese and Turkish Saanen kids were favourable than Gokceada kids in terms of suckling kid meat production.