Effect of Starvation Intensity and Compensatory Growth Phenomenon on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Chemical Composition of Lambs of Lori Sheep Breeds

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the starvation intensity and period compensatory growth on the carcass characteristics and meat chemical composition of the lambs of Lori sheep breeds. Fifty-four male Lori lambs were selected. The experimental factors were for the starvation period at two levels (35 and 45 days) and the starvation intensity with three levels (ad libitum, 80%, and 60%) which was based on a factorial experiment with a completely randomized design (2×3) with three replications. At the end of the experiment, daily weight gain, final weight, feed conversion ratio, and feed intake were calculated. Furthermore, the carcass characteristics, the cost of production per kg of gain carcass and lean meat were calculated. The percentage of dry matter, ash, crude fat, and crude protein were determined for the meat chemical composition.  Results showed that there was a significant difference among average daily gain, dry matter intake, and feed conversion ratio the feed restriction period (p < 0.05). At the end of compensatory growth, restricted groups with 35 days of starvation gained more ADG than other treatments (p < 0.05). During the compensatory growth period, FCR in the feed restriction treatments decreased compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). The results of carcass traits in the feed restriction period showed that the most carcass traits in the control treatments were higher than the restriction groups (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the fat tail weight and percentage and total carcass fat were higher in the control treatment were higher than all restriction groups. In this case, the food restriction groups of 35 and 45 days of starvation had the highest lean meat during the period of restriction and compensatory growth. The study showed that the lambs under 60 percent feed restriction with 35 days of starvation were preferable due to higher ADG, better FCR, and more suitable carcass traits, as well as the higher percentage of lean meat than other treatments.