Identification of Behavior of Voluntary Traceability and Analysis of Its Determinants: A Case Study of Hog Slaughtering and Processing Firms in Zhejiang Province,China

In recent years, the Chinese government has highlighted the importance of adopting hog safety/quality traceability, and a growing amount of research continues to entice firms to adopt traceability systems. In this study, a survey was conducted on a sample of pig slaughtering and processing firms in Zhejiang, China through personal interviews and emails. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of firm behavior on the implementation of voluntary traceability systems with more stringent standards and controls than those of the mandatory system in China. The results revealed that motivation based on product quality improvement, capital ability and role perception （business type） had significantly positive relationships with a firm＇s voluntary traceability. Other incentives, such as operation improvement, recall risk reduction, reduced occurrence of safety issues, and technical strength were not found to be supportive in our study. This study provides an opportunity to better understand the determinants of firm behavior on voluntary traceability, particularly in light of the fact that some Chinese firms are facing the threat of criminal action for the use of illegal additives and the abuse of Clenbuterol. Policy recommendations on encouraging the implementation of pork safety voluntary traceability by hog slaughtering and processing firms are also discussed.

Assessment of Beef Transportation Infrastructure from Slaughtering Facilities in Tanzanian Cities

This study presents the assessment of beef transportation infrastructure from slaughtering facilities in Tanzanian cities to the retail premises. The quality of beef consumed in many countries is questionable due to poor infrastructural development which may results into contamination and bacteriological infection. This study was carried out in Mbeya and Dar es Salaam where data was collected at the dispatch areas of 3 and 6 slaughtering facilities, respectively. At each slaughter facility, 10 vehicles selected randomly, were assessed. The assessment of beef distribution infrastructure was conducted based on 18 quality impacting factors established from the actual observation and literature review and conceptualized carcass distribution model. With exception to water tightness, painting and engine status during carcass loading, all the assessed beef quality impacting parameters were below 50%, indicating that beef distribution in the surveyed facilities were below the specification of food quality. Generally, the assessment of beef transporting facilities in connection to the first hypothesis of this study, indicted very weak compliance with the requirements, signifying that the vehicles are not acceptable for carcass transportation.

Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality of Hainan Black Goat and Its Hybrid Offsprings with Nubian Black Goat

In order to compare the slaughter performance and meat quality of Hainan black goats and hybrid offsprings of Nubian Black Goat and Hainan Black Goat, six 7-month-old Hainan black goats and six hybrid offsprings were selected to determine slaughter performance and muscle quality. The results showed that hybridization of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat significantly improved the production performance and slaughter performance of hybrid offsprings (P>0.05). The meat quality of F1 hybrid black goat had no significant difference with that of Hainan black goat except for the hardness and elasticity (P<0.05). Therefore, the crossbred progenies of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat have advantages in meat yield and meat performance, and the main meat quality indexes are not significantly different, which meets the market requirements for high-yield and high-quality hybrid combinations, and can be used for cross promotion.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Nutritional Composition of Duoluo Goats in Sichuan Province

[Objectives] This study was conducted to understand the biological characteristics of Duoluo goats. [Methods] With male and female Duoluo goats as the research object, related performance indexes were determined and analyzed after slaughter. [Results] The weights of one-year-old male and female Duoluo goats before slaughter were (25.68±2.37) and (24.51±1.97) kg, respectively;the dressing percentages were (43.55±3.24) % and (43.84±3.42) %, respectively;and the net meat percentages were (33.02±2.32) % and (34.19±2.46) %, respectively. (2) The cooked meat rates of male and female Duoluo goats were (65.49±1.42) % and (65.36±1.55) %, respectively;the shearing force was (5.48±1.24) and (5.65±1.02) N, respectively;and the loin-eye muscle areas were (8.95±1.72) and (8.82±1.15) cm 2, respectively. (3) The protein contents of male and female Duoluo goats were (20.07±0.42) and (19.47±1.22) g/100 g, respectively;and the fat contents were (1.30±0.80) % and (2.92±0.55) %, respectively;and the cholesterol contents were (71.76±11.47) and (74.83±2.68) mg/100 g, respectively;(4) The Ca contents of male and female Duoluo goats were (69.53±10.89) and (63.00±4.56) mg/kg, respectively;the Fe contents were (16.73±1.83) and (14.77±0.58) mg/kg, respectively;and the Zn contents were (38.47±3.68) and (31.83±2.22) mg/kg, respectively. (5) In the muscles of male and female Duoluo goats, the contents of essential amino acids were (7.44±0.24) and (7.26±0.41) g/100 g , respectively;the contents of non-essential amino acids were (11.81±0.33) and (11.42±0.67) g/100 g, respectively;and the contents of flavor amino acids were (8.79±0.27) and (8.42±0.57) g/100 g, respectively. [Conclusions] This study lays a foundation for the excavation and utilization of the resource, Duoluo goats.

Research on the Effect of Microbial Fermentation Feeds on Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality in Pig with Large-scale Feeding

In this paper, Duroc-lanndrae-Yorkshire crossbred piggy of born at 75 days of age, bouncing with health and similar body weight were randomly divided into experimental group （136 pigs） and control group （136 pigs）. Pigs in control group were fed with conventional diets, and 4% microbial fermentation feeds were added to the basal diet of experimental group to research on the effect of performance and meat quality of pig breeding. The results indicated that after feeding 106 d, compared to control group, the slaughter performance, meat quality and content of fatty acid and amino acid of experimental group were all better, its slaughter rate increased 1.53%, the carcass weight increased 2.75% and the backfat thickness decreased 0.02 cm. In addition, the pork meat in test group hadn＇t antibiotic and heavy metal residues, while it had higher color score, lower pH45min and pH24h value, better tenderness and rate of cooked meat and higher content of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. Microbial fermentation feed using in test group can significantly improved the flavor and aroma of pork, and eating this pork conducive more to human health. Thus, the application of microbial fermenta- tion feed can provide a more safe, healthy and nutritious flavor pork for human beings.

5种皮褶厚度公式对肥胖儿童少年体脂量预测的比较研究

目的：以生物电阻抗法（BIA）为效标,比较皮褶厚度法5种不同推导公式对汉族肥胖儿童少年体脂量的预测结果,探索适合检测肥胖儿童少年的体脂量评估公式。方法：将76名汉族肥胖儿童少年按性别和年龄分为4组,进行身高、体重、身体围度、皮褶厚度及生物电阻抗法测量,分别用相关分析与Bland-Altman分析,对Lohman公式、Brozek公式、Siri公式、Slaughter公式及国内公式对体脂量的预测结果与BIA法所得体脂量的相关性及一致性进行比较。结果：1）Brozek公式和Siri公式高估了被试的体脂量,而国内公式则低估了被试的体脂量;2）13~18岁女性肥胖者中Slaughter公式对体脂百分比的预测值与BIA法最接近,且相关性最高（R=0.833）,Bland-Altman分析偏倚差最小、limits of agreement也最低;3）Lohman公式高估了7~12岁男性肥胖者的体脂量,但低估了7~12岁女性肥胖者和13~18岁男性肥胖者的体脂量,提示该方法的不稳定性。结论：Slaughter公式所测13~18岁的女性肥胖者体脂量可做出与BIA最接近的体脂间接评估。

Analysis of Correlation between the Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of Frizzle Chicken

[Objective]This study aimed to evaluate the meat quality of frizzle Chick-en, and to find out the correlation between the meat quality and slaughter perfor-mance. [Method] The slaughter performance such as live chicken weight, carcass weight, semi-eviscerated weight, eviscerated weight, chest muscle weight, leg mus-cle weight, abdominal fat weight and the meat quality indices like color, pH and shear force of 12-week-old frizzle chickens were measured to analyze the correla-tion between slaughter performance and meat quality. [Result] The carcass percent-age, semi-eviscerated percentage, eviscerated percentage, chest muscle percentage, leg muscle percentage, abdominal fat percentage, intramuscular fat width and subcu-taneous fat thickness of the male chickens were 89.76%, 81.54%, 67.53%, 7.82%, 11.29%, 2.42%, 0.69 cm and 0.48 cm, of female chickens were 89.78%, 80.87%, 62.94%, 6.19%, 9.92%, 3.91%, 0.78 cm and 0.61 cm. Some of these traits exhibit-ed significant difference between the male and female chickens （P〈0.05）. In male chickens, the chest muscle color, pH and shear force were 5.93, 6.15 and 3.72 kg, and the leg muscle color, pH and shear force were 6.18, 6.54 and 3.41 kg; in fe-male chickens, the chest muscle color, pH and shear force were 5.77, 6.05 and 3.41 kg, and the leg muscle color, pH and shear force were 6.03, 6.21 and 2.74 kg. The quality of chest and leg muscles of frizzle chickens significantly differed （P〈0.05）. Carcass weight had significant positive correlations with semi-eviscerated weight and meat color （P〈0.05）, and an extremely significant positive correlation with pH （P〈0.01）. Semi-eviscerated weight and pH value shared a significant posi-tive correlation （P〈0.05）. Eviscerated weight and leg muscle weight shared an ex-tremely significant negative correlation （P〈0.01）. Abdominal fat weight correlated sig-nificantly and negatively with shear force （P〈0.05）. Meat color and pH value had a significant positive correlation （P〈0.05）. [Conclusion] This study provides theoretical basis for the breeding of excellent chicken varieties producing high-quality meat.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Muscle Nutrients of Twelve-month-old Tibetan Goat

This study aimed to study the germplasm characteristics of Tibetan goat distributed in Sichuan. Three male and three female goats of twelve-month-old Ti-betan goat were selected, and they were slaughtered for analysis of slaughter per-formance, muscle quality and muscle nutrients. The results showed that the pre-slaughter body weights, dressing percentages, meat percentages and carcass meat production rates of male and female Tibetan goats were （14.33±1.53） and （12.50±2.18） kg, （42.11±5.26）% and （43.85±4.51）%, （31.34±3.36）% and （32.84±3.16）%, and （72.34±0.54）% and （72.30±0.78）%, respectively. There were smal differences in car-cass size, carcass segmentation, muscle fiber properties, muscle quality, muscle nu-tritional composition, muscle minerals contents and muscle heavy metals contents between male and female Tibetan goats. A total of 18 kinds of amino acids were detected in the muscle of male and female Tibetan goats. The EAA/TAA ratios and EAA/NEAA ratios of male and female Tibetan goats were （39.18＆#177;0.38）%and （38.70±0.72）%, and （64.31±1.03）% and （63.21±1.92）%, respectively.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Muscle Nutrients of Twelve-month-old Danba Goat

[Objective] The aim was to discuss the resource characteristics of Danba goat. [Method] Three male and three female goats of twelve-month-old Danba goat were selected to slaughter,and their slaughter performance, muscle qulity and mus- cle nutrients were determined. [Result] The pre-slaughter weights, dressing percent- ages, meat percentages and carcass meat production rates of the male and female Danba goats were （25.83±1.04） and （18.50±2.29） kg, （45.18±0.78）% and （38.89± 2.08）%, （33.76±1.4）% and （28.59±1.99）%, and （74.30±0.85）% and （74.08±0.65）%, respectively. The carcass length, carcass hind leg circumstance, carcass hind leg length, lumbar muscle thickness, hind leg meat yield, shoulder muscle yield and breast meat yield of male goats were significantly higher than those of female goats （P〈0.05）, and no significant differenceswere found in other carcass size and carcass segmentation indices between male and female goats （P〉0.05）. There were small differences in muscle fiber properties, muscle quality, muscle nutritional composition, muscle mineral content and muscle heavy metal content between male and female goats （P〈0.05）. A total of 18 kinds of amino acids were detected in the male and female goats. The EAA/TAAs and EANNEAAs of male and female goats were （39.56±0.26）% and （39.48±0.66）%, and （65.45±0.71）% and （65.43±1.80）%, respec- tively. [Conclusion] This study will provide the basis for the understanding of the resource characteristics of Danba goat.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Nutritional Components of Twenty-four-month-old Tibetan Goats

[Objective] This study was conducted to understand goat germplasm char- acteristics. [Method] With some 24-month-old males and females Tibet goats as experimental materials, a slaughter experiment was carried out to determine their slaughter performance, muscle quality and muscle nutritional components. [Result] The body weights of males and females before slaughter were （20.16±1.26） and （19.33±4.86） kg, respectively; the dressing percentages of males and females were （43.86±1.74）% and （44.08±5.46）%, respectively; the meat percentages were （32.43± 1.52）% and （32.72±3.97）%, respectively; and the meat production rates of carcass were （73.28±0.09）% and （73.16±0.85）%, respectively. There were less differences in carcass measurements, carcass segmentation, muscle quality, muscle fiber charac- teristics, muscle nutritional components, muscle mineral contents and heavy metal contents between males and females, while eye muscle area and hind leg meat weight of males were significantly higher than those of females. In muscles of males and females, 18 amino acids were detected totally, EAA/TAA values were （39.23±0.24）% and （38.70±0.15）%, respectively, and EAA/NEAA values were （64.73± 0.65）% and （63.17±0.41）%, respectively. [Conclusion] This study lays a foundation for overall understanding of germplasm characteristics of Tibetan goats.

An abattoir survey of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia lesions in slaughtered cattle in selected districts in Northern Tanzania

Objective:To establish and estimate incidence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia(CBPP),using abattoir survey as a diagnostic tool in slaughtered cattle in Northern Tanzania.Methods:A total of 4460 cattle were slaughtered in five abattoirs in 3 northern zone regions(Arusha,Kilimanjaro and Tanga)during the period of January to May 2004.They were examined ante-mortem for‘pneumonia signs',and‘characteristic contagious bovine pleuropneumonia(CBPP)lung lesions'.Results:Forty-one(0.91%)of the slaughtered cattle,the majority of which were Tanzania short horn zebu,had gross lung lesions suggestive of CBPP.The prevalence of lesions was significantly(P<0.05)higher in Karatu abattoir compared to others.No animal was detected to have lesion in Bomang'ombe abattoir.The most observed pneumonic signs included labored breathing(90%),dry cough(57%)and mucopurulent nasal discharge(47%).The gross characteristic CBPP pathological lesion,frequently encountered was left lung lesion(47%),pinkish lung(71%)and pleural adhesion(98%).Epidemiological reports show that the CBPP reported outbreaks increased from 19 in 2002,65 in 2003 and 18 in 2004(January-March).The corresponding number of reported deaths increased from 137 in 2002,269 in 2003 and 77 in 2004(January-March).Conclusions:It's concluded from this study that CBPP is a problem in spite of the extensive awareness and vaccination campaigns.Nevertheless,a continued surveillance programme including routine checks of all cattle carcasses at the abattoir and subsequent epidemiological investigation of suspected cases are recommended.

A survey of zoonotic diseases in trade cattle slaughtered at Tanga city abattoir:a cause of public health concern

Objective:To estimate the prevalence of hydatidosis,cysticercosis,tuberculosis,leptospirosis,brucellosis and toxoplasmosis in slaughtered bovine stock(aged≥3 years)at Tanga city abattoir,Tanzania.Methods:Prevalence estimation of the five zoonotic diseases was undertaken through an active abattoir and sero-survey was carried out in Tanga city,during the period of January 2002and March 2004.Serum samples collected from a sub-sample(n=51)of the slaughter stock were serologically screened for antibodies against brucellosis,leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis using Rose Bengal plate test,microscopic agglutination test(for 5 serovars of Leptospira interrogans)and Eiken latex agglutination test,respectively.The same animals were tested for tuberculosis using the single intradermal tuberculin test.Results:Post mortem examination of 12 444 slaughter cattle(10 790 short horn zebu and 1 654 graded)over a period of twenty two months,showed a prevalence of 1.56%(194)for hydatidosis,1.49%(185)for cysticercosis and 0.32%(40)for tuberculosis.In all three zoonoses,a statistically significant difference in infection rates was noted between the short horn zebu and graded breeds(P<0.05).The overall seroprevalences of animals with brucellosis,toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis antibodies were found to be 12%,12%and 51%,respectively.The most common leptospiral antibodies detected were those against antigens of serovars Leptospira hardjo(29%),Leptospira tarassovi(18%),Leptospira bataviae(4%)and Leptospira pomona(0%).With regard to tuberculosis,10%(n=5)of the animals tested were classified as non-specific reactors or inconclusive.Conclusions:The study findings suggest that brucellosis,toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis are prevalent in Tanga and provide definitive evidence of slaughtered stock exposure to these zoonotic agents with concurrent public health consequences.

Macromineral requirements of Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred female lambs

A comparative slaughter trial was conducted to determine the net mineral requirements for maintenance and growth of Dorper crossbred female lambs raised from 20 to 35 kg of body weight（BW）.Thirty-five Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred female lambs of（20.3±1.14） kg BW were used： 7 lambs were randomly chosen and slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment as the baseline group for measuring the initial body composition; another 7 lambs were randomly chosen and offered a pelleted mixed diet ad libitum and slaughtered at（27.0±0.73） kg BW; the remaining 21 lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each and subjected to the same diet either ad l ibitum or at 70 or 40% of ad libitum intake.The 21 lambs were fed in 7 slaughter groups, with each group consisting of one lamb from each treatment（ad libitum, 70 or 40% of ad libitum intake）.The 3 groups were slaughtered when the sheep fed ad libitum attained（33.8±0.52） kg of BW.The body composition of five minerals（Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg） was determined.The net mineral requirements for maintenance were 35.01, 25.18, 9.30, 31.35, and 2.03 mg kg–1 empty BW（EBW） for Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg, respectively, and the net growth requirement per kg of EBW gain ranged from 9.73 to 8.87 g of Ca, 5.83 to 5.27 g of P, 1.73 to 1.63 g of Na, 3.73 to 4.08 g of K, and 0.26 to 0.25 g of Mg for Dorper crossbred lambs in China, respectively.The estimates of mineral requirements with Dorper crossbred lambs in the current study were not consistent with the recommendations from previous studies.

Effect of Rapeseed Straw on Growth and Slaughter Performance of Sichuan White Goose

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the effects of rapeseed straw on growth and slanghter performance of Sichuan white goose. [ Method ] Totally 400 3-day-old Sichuan white geese were randomly divided into four groups ; geese in control group were fed with the fundamental diet ; geese in group 1, group 2 and group 3 were fed with the fundamental diet containing 5%, 10% and 10% rapeseed straw instead of equal amount of wheat bran, respectively. The body weight and slaughter performance of Sichuan white geese in control group, group 1 and group 2 were determined at 10 weeks of age, while those in group 3 were determined at 14 weeks of age. [ Result] There was no significant difference in gross weight, slaughter weight, eviscerated weight with giblet, head weight, sole weight, wing weight, neck weight, muscular stomach weight and intestine indexes of 10-week-old white geese between group 1 and control group, and between group 2 and con- trol group （ P 〉 0.05 ） ; the live weight slightly decreased. The growth and slaughter performance of 14-week-old Sichuan white geese were significantly higher fllan that of 10-week-old geese （P 〈0.05）, with better meat and flavor, but relatively low average daily gain （P 〈0.05 ） ; there was no significant impact on muscular stomach pH and intestinal pH （P 〉 0.05 ）. [ Conclusion] Substituting partial wheat bran with rapeseed straw can satisfy the diet requirement of Sichuan white geese, but has no significant impact on its growth and slaughter performance （ P 〉 0.05）.

Mathematical modeling of the native Mexican turkey’s growth

Little is known about the productive performance of Mexican turkey, so the objective of the present study was to characterize growth performance curves of backyard turkey under a confined system. Forty fertile eggs were artificially incubated and turkey weight was recorded at hatch. During growth performance weekly weight was measured until 385 days of age. Turkey commercial feed and water were offered ad libitum. To characterize growth curves, a fourth degree polynomial model regression and a Richards biological model were used, which were compared by determination coefficient (r2), to reach the best fit model. The best fit model was the fourth degree polynomial regression model from a mathematical standpoint of view. It was found that maximum tom growth was reached at 15.7 weeks with a weight gain of 259.3 g/week and in hens at 12.4 weeks with a weight gain of 112.0 g/week. Body weight reached by toms at 40 weeks was 6 kg and hens at 35 weeks with 3.6 kg.

HACCP在淮北麻鸡宰杀及冷藏中的应用研究

该研究在淮北麻鸡宰杀及冷藏工艺过程微生物分析的基础上进行危害性分析,确定关键控制点。结果表明,应用HACCP理论指导生产,在生产过程通过控制车间环境卫生、加强操作人员卫生管理、严格工艺流程管理及监控、控制冷链温度等措施,可以减少鸡肉微生物初始污染,保证原料肉的质量安全。关键题:淮北麻鸡;宰杀;冷藏;

Molecular characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis of slaughtered livestock in Upper Egypt governorates

Objective: To present the molecular characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis(C. tenuicollis) of Taenia hydatigena(T. hydatigena) from livestock isolates in Egypt, and to introduce a detailed image of C. tenuicollis infection in ruminant animals in Upper Egypt.Methods: The prevalence rates of C. tenuicollis infections among the slaughtered animals from different organs were determined using the amplification of sequencing of the MT-CO1 gene.Results: In the present study the infection rates of C. tenuicollis were found to be 16%and 19% in sheep and goat samples respectively. Firstly we report one larval stage of T. hydatigena detected in the camel liver in Egypt. C. tenuicollis infection manifested a higher prevalence in females than in males. Those above two years of age manifested a higher infection rate than younger animals. The preferred site for the infection was the omentum: a 70% preference in sheep and a 68% preference in goats. The molecular characterization using the MT-CO1 gene of isolates from sheep, goats and camels corresponded to T. hydatigena. For this study, molecular characterizations of T. hydatigena were done for the first time in Egypt. Molecular tools are of great assistance in characterizing the C. tenuicollis parasite especially when the morphological character cannot be detected, because the metacestodes are frequently confused with infection by the hydatid cyst, especially when these occur in the visceral organs. In the present study,C. tenuicollis manifested high identity in the goat and sheep samples, while differences were found more frequently in the camel samples(10 base pair).Conclusions: Clearly molecular diagnosis for C. tenuicollis infection significantly helps to differentiate it from such other metacestodes as hydatidosis, which manifests a completely different pathogenicity and requires different control programs.

A five years study of fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis in Iran's slaughterhouses

Objective:Fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis are the two endemic parasitic diseases of Iran that make lots of economical damages annually.This study has been performed to evaluate infection rate of domesticated animals to fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis among of slaughtered animals in slaughterhouses of Iran.Methods:In this crosssectional study infection rate of slaughtered animals has been analyzed in 28 provinces of Iran during 5 years period(2003-2007).Results:It is indicated that infection rate was 4.84%to fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis in this five-year study period.Total removed livers were 815 807 and 771 026 numbers from consumption cycle for fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis respectively from 32 714 926 slaughtered animals.The highest infection rate was Gilan(20.91%),Mazandaran(16.36%),and Esfahan(9.95%) respectively among studied provinces while the lowest infection rate was indicated in Ilam(0.76%),Boushehr(0.84%),and Yazd(1.51%) respectively. Our data proved the highest frequency rate were identified in summer and autumn for both fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis.Conclusion:Fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis are continuously increasing in slaughter animals of Iran.Therefore the results of current study can improve and move up activities against these zoonosis diseases.

Heterosis of Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of New Zealand White Rabbit,Fujian Yellow Rabbit and Hybrid Groups

[Objective]The aim was to evaluate heterosis of hybridization groups of New Zealand White rabbits and Fujian Yellow rabbits. [Method] Totaling 80 rabbits,including New Zealand White rabbits,Fujian Yellow rabbits,and direct-cross and reciprocal cross rabbits were measured in slaughter performance and meat quality. [Result] Live-weight,evisceration weight and semi-evisceration weight of rabbits in four groups were 1 817. 20 -2 308. 60,914. 10 -1 231. 50 and 985. 99 -1 315. 20 g,respectively. For slaughter performance,FY × NZ was the highest among male rabbits and NZ was the highest among female rabbits. In addition,shear forces of crureus and longissimusdorsi for rabbits in four groups were 25. 11 -40. 44 and 18. 02 -26. 44 N,respectively,among which male NZ was the lowest in shear force of crureus and female NZ was the lowest of longissimusdorsi. Water-loss rates of crureus and longissimusdorsi were 33. 43% -41. 52% and 31. 79% -39. 01%,among which male NZ proved the lowest in water-loss of crureus and male FY achieved the lowest level for the rate of longissimusdorsi. [Conclusion]Hybrid groups showed some heteroses in slaughter performance and meat quality.

Effect of Feed Restriction on Broiler Chicks Prior to Slaughter

The present study was conducted to study the effect of feed restriction prior to slaughter on carcass weight of male broiler chicks from 32 to 40 days of age. A total number of 180 (Pure line) male broiler chicks were taken randomly, labeled and divided into six groups. At 32 days of age, the experimental groups were put under the experimental feeding program. Group A fed ad libitum (control) while group B and C fed 120, 60 gm/bird/day for eight days, respectively. Group D and E fed 120, 60 gm/bird/day for four days respectively, followed by zero feeding for an extra 4 days. Group F deprived of food during the whole experimental period (8 days). The experimental diet was formulated to be approximately iso caloric-iso nitrogenous containing sorghum, groundnut cake, broiler concentrate, calcium, salt, lysine, methionine, and premix. The parameters taken were live body weight, feed intake, mortality, carcass, and non-carcass values. The effect of feed restriction program on male broiler chicks was not significant during the period from 32 to 34 days of age for parameters final live body weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage, but net weight (gain or loss) was affected by feed restriction program and showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) between experimental groups. From 32 to 36 days of age male broilers subjected to feed restriction regimes showed the lowest reading for final live body weight, net weight (gain or loss) and carcass weight and the difference were significant (P 0.05) between experimental groups for dressing percentage during period from32 to 36 days of age. At the period from 32 to 38 days and the period from 32 to 40 days of age, all parameters were significantly affected by feed restriction program. It was concluded that carcass weight of broiler chickens can be controlled using different options of feed restriction programs according to the need of the market and the producer situation with special consideration to the economic return.