Growth and development of sheep

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Abstract
A comparative slaughter trial is described in which growth information, including detailed carcass dissection data, was obtained on 212 rams and ewes of the Romney and Southdown breeds and their cross. Samples were slaughtered at birth, 1, 6, 11, 16, 25, 41, and 80 weeks of age, and at maturity. Carcass analyses show that the Romney is a larger, leaner animal than the Southdown and that males are larger and leaner than females. Allometric growth coefficients are presented relating body and carcass fat, muscle, and bone to starved live weight, carcass weight, fat-free carcass weight (muscle plus bone), together with estimates of carcass composition at four weights.