The Effect of Sex and Slaughter Age on Growth, Slaughter, and Carcass Characteristics in Lindovskaya Geese Reared under Breeder Conditions

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine growth, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of Lindovskaya geese. While a total of 237 goslings, 101 males, and 136 females were used to determine their growth characteristics, 16 male geese in total were used for the detection of the slaughter and carcass characteristics. Each slaughter group (12 weeks and 16 weeks old) consisted of 8 male geese. It was determined that the effect of sex on body weight values by week was significant (P < 0.05). In addition to this, the body weights of male geese were higher than the body weights of the female geese in all weeks. In the study, it was determined that the effect of the slaughter age on the weights of slaughter, head, blood, intestinal fat, and abdominal fat was significant (P < 0.05). Additionally, the values of the geese slaughtered at 16 weeks were higher compared to the geese slaughtered at 12 weeks. It was detected that the effect of slaughter age on the weight of the hot carcass, cold carcass, neck, breast and back, and other parts were significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, it was concluded that these values increased as the slaughter age increased. As a result, it can be said that slaughter age at 16 weeks was more preferable than at 12 weeks under breeder conditions. Additionally, it has been revealed that Lindovskaya geese need to be reared under controlled conditions, with regular care and feeding, to obtain better results. © TÜBİTAK