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This study was planned to compare the growth, survival, fattening, slaughter and carcass characteristics of crossbred lambs, which were produced by the mating of Kivircik ewes with German Black- Headed Mutton (ASB) x Kivircik (F2) rams and ASB x Merino (F2) rams, with each other and also with purebred Kivircik lambs, and to investigate the possibilities of using the F2 rams as a sire line in the commercial crossbreeding with Kivircik ewes. In this part of the study fattening, slaughter and carcass characteristics of lambs were investigated.
Final fattening weights of (ASB x Kivircik) x Kivircik, (ASB x Merino) x Kivircik and Kivircik lambs were 33.17 kg. 32.37 kg and 28.98 kg. respectively. Live weight gains were 12.58 kg. 12.19 kg and 10.82 kg; daily live weight gains were 224.68 g. 217.71 g and 193.25 g; concentrated feed consumed per kg live weight gain were 4.63 kg, 4.76 kg and 5.33 kg, respectively. The chilled carcass weights were 17.43 kg, 15.50 kg and 13.98 kg; dressing percentages were 48.10%, 45.14% and 45.47%; eye muscle areas were 1335.75 mm2, 1332.36 mm2 and 1060.50 mm2, respectively.
The results of this study showed that the fattening, slaughter and carcass characteristics of crossbred lambs, which carry ASB genotype, were higher than those of purebred Kivircik Iambs, and the economic loses resulted from the early and light slaughter of lambs in Marmara Region could be reduced by using F> rams as a sire line.