Haematological, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Intensively Managed West African Dwarf Goats Slaughtered at Different Live Weights

Abstract

The West African Dwarf (WAD) breed of goats was slaughtered at live weights (LW) of 10, 12, 14, and 16kg to determine the effect of live weight at slaughtering on the carcass characteristics and meat quality. Prior to slaughtering, blood samples were collected through jugular vein of each animal to determine the haematological parameters. The haematological parameters monitored varied (P 0.05) by LW at slaughter but crude protein, fat, ash contents and pH values differed significantly (P 0.05), while colour of meat from goats slaughtered at 10kg LW was rated low (P