Livestock Studies 1994, Vol 34, Num, 1-2     (Pages: 079-089)

The effects of initial weight on fattening traits and economy of the enterprise in Turkish Brown Bulls

Rafet ARPACIK 1 ,Ahmet NAZLIGÜL 1 ,Zeki BEYHAN 1 ,Fatih ATASOY 1

1 A. Ü. Veteriner Fakültesi Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, ANKARA - The effects of initial weight of Turkish Brown Bulls on fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics were investigated. The gross margin calculations for the groups were also made. Thirty four bulls were allocated in to three groups and each group cansisted of 11, 11 and 12 animals, respectively.

İnitial average live weights of groups were 100.5, 126.6 and 149.4 kg respectively. The finished bulls were slaughtered at 400 kg live weight.

The average fattening periods and daily gains in the groups were 264.4, 261.0, 236.0 days and 1147.4, 1053.0 and 1114.9 respectively. The differences among the groups for the daily live weight gains were not statistically significiant. The average intakes of dry matter per kg of live weight gain in groups were 8.5, 9.6 and 9.9 kg respectively.

Similar values were obtained in the groups for carcass and slaughter characteristics. Gross margine calculations were pozitif in all the groups and it was highest with the first group.

It is concluded that 100 kg initial weight was the most profitable among the groups studied. Keywords : Turkish Brown Bull, fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics, gross margine