RESEARCH ON THE SLAUGHTER PERFORMANCE OF THE THREE BREED CROSS MEAT LAMBS COMPARED TO PALAS MERINO CONTEMPORARIES

Oana-Corina Dordescu, Al.-G. Vartic, Cristina Ștefania Negre, P.G. Vicovan

Abstract
   The aim of the research is to test the fattening performance of the three breed cross meat hybrids compared to Palas Merino contemporaries.
   The research was performed at R.D.I.S.G.B. Palas - Constanța on three breed cross meat hybrids compared to the control group consisting of 20 Palas Merino lambs, which were subjected to intensive fattening for 73 days. The compactness and muscularity index of the gigot, the muscularity index of the thigh, as well as the yields at slaughter were calculated.
   The following results were obtained:
   • Three breed cross meat lambs have a significantly higher growth and weight gain in fattening than their Palas Merino contemporaries.
   • Energy and protein consumption of the hybrids were significantly lower compared to Palas Merino lambs.
   • Slaughter yields (Y1 and Y2) were significantly higher in the three breed cross meat hybrids compared to contemporaries in the control group.
   • The carcasses of the hybrids were entirely in U2 class (very good, slight fat cover carcass) compared to the carcasses of Palas Merino, which were clasified in class R2 (good, slight fat cover carcass).
   The research clearly demonstrates the superiority of the three breed cross meat lambs over Palas Merino lambs.