Effect of supplementary feeding on the production traits, carcass and meat quality of Jamuna basin lambs

This study aimed to identify the optimum level of supplementary feeds on the carcass traits and meat quality of Jamuna basin lambs. Forty selected lambs were divided into four treatments such as T(0) (no concentrate supplementation), T(1) (1% concentrate feed), T(2) (1.5% concentrate feed) and T(3) (2% concentrate feed) having ten lambs per treatment. The data were analyzed through Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with SAS software. Hot carcass, dressing percentage, head, leg, neck, loin, heart, and spleen weight were showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher values with increasing concentrate feed. The crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and ash values were significantly increased (p < 0.001) except T(2) treatment. The ultimate pH was significantly increased except T(2) and cooked pH was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) except T(3) treatment. Drip loss and cooking loss (CL) % had significantly reduced (p < 0.001) except T(3) treatment. The water holding capacity (WHC) % was significantly increased (p < 0.001) except T(3) treatment. The score of color, juiciness and tenderness were significantly different (p < 0.001). Flavor and overall acceptability score were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in different treatments. The color values L* and b* had significantly changed (p < 0.001) and a* value was found significantly higher (p < 0.05) in all treatments. Hence, 12 months of aged lambs with 1.5% concentrate feed showed better performances on carcass, nutritional, physicochemical, sensory and instrumental color values to increase the carcass and the meat quality of lambs.