Effect of castration on performance and carcass characteristics of male Sudan Desert goats

In order to investigate the effect of castration on the performance and carcass characteristics of Sudan male desert goats, twelve male kids were taken and divided immediately following birth into two equal groups i.e. one group castrated and another left intact. After weaning (2.5 months of age), the kids were separated from their mothers, put in two pens and placed on mixed growing and finishing diet. Daily feed intake and weekly live weight gain were recorded from weaning until kids were 7 months old. Ther after kids were weighed and slaughtered. Different carcass components were weighed and dressing-out percentages were calculated. Athough there were no significant differences between the two groups in either food intake, liveweight gain or food conversion ratio, castration was noticed to reduce these ratios. Empty body weight and cold carcass weight were heavier and dressing-out percentage (experessed on live weight bassis) was slightly lower for intact than for castrated male kids.