Vol. 8, Issue 5, Part E (2023)

Author(s): Sana DV Satyanarayana and A Krishna Murthy

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body condition score (BCS), physical parameters, and post-mortem characteristics with live body weight and dressing percentage in Nellore Brown ewes. The data were collected from ewes slaughtered at a specific slaughterhouse in Banaganapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India. Various physical measurements, including height, body length, thoracic circumference, and live body weight, were recorded. Post-mortem parameters such as drained blood weight, skin weight, weight of gastrointestinal (GI) tract, weight of visceral organs, weight of separated head and shanks, and hot carcass weight were also measured. The results showed that physical parameters, including height, body length, and thoracic circumference, generally increased with an increase in BCS. Similarly, live body weight and hot carcass weight increased significantly with higher BCS. However, no consistent pattern was observed for post-mortem parameters in relation to BCS. Correlation analysis revealed that certain physical and post-mortem parameters had positive and significant relationships with live body weight and dressing percentage in specific BCS categories. These findings highlight the importance of managing BCS in Nellore Brown ewes to optimize meat production efficiency and carcass quality.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2023.v8.i5e.752