CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND MEAT PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF EXTENSIVELY MANAGED RED SOKOTO BUCKS SLAUGHTERED AT DIFFERENT AGES IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7172Keywords:
Carcass yield, Carcass component, Non-carcass component, Red Sokoto bucks.Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the carcass characteristics and meat proximate composition of extensively managed Red Sokoto bucks slaughtered at different ages in Abeokuta metropolis. A total of twenty four (24) intact Red Sokoto buck were sourced from reputable outlets within the metropolis. The animals were grouped into $ lyear, 1-2years and 2-3years of age by the means of dentition before slaughtering to examine the effect of age on the carcass characteristics and meat proximate composition . The proximate analysis was carried out using AOAC, (2005) method. The carcass component were significantly (P<0.05) affected by age while the non-carcass components were not significantly (P>0.03) influenced by age. Meat from the loin, rib, thigh and flank indicated that the DM, crude protein, crude fat, NFE and total ash were influenced (P<0.05) by the age, while the crude fiber and total ash from the loin cut were not influenced (P>0.05) by the age. This study indicated that Red Sokoto bucks between the ages of 2-3years may be slaughtered for highcarcass yield, meat rich in crude protein and low in crude fat for consumption.
