Effect of Slaughter Age on Chevon Quality and Quantity of Konkan Kanyal Goat

Fifteen Konkan Kanyal goats of 6, 9, and 12 months of age (5 goats each group) were selected randomly and slaughtered for the experiment. The pre-slaughter weight of Konkan Kanyal goats was significantly differed at the age of 6, 9 and 12 months of 11.68±0.43, 16.2±0.43 and 19.3±0.43 kg, respectively. The dressing per cent was 49.1±0.45, 51.11±0.45 and 51.25±0.45 per cent, respectively in 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The slaughter age of goats had non-significant effect on the composition of primal cuts except rack and leg. The primal cuts comprised 9.75±0.23, 10.1±0.23 and 10.5±0.23 per cent of loin at the slaughter age of 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. The corresponding values of rack were 11.4±0.19, 12.8±0.19 and 13.0±0.1 per cent, neck and shoulder were 25.8±0.58, 26.8±0.58 and 27.9±0.58 per cent, breast and shank were 18.8±0.55, 20.2±0.55 and 19.8±0.55 per cent and leg were 32.1±0.35, 30.3±0.35 and 28.7±0.35 per cent, respectively. The organoleptic qualities of Konkan Kanyal goat's meat did not differ significantly at 6, 9 and 12 months of slaughter age. The overall acceptability was recorded for the slaughter age of 9 months followed by 6 and 12 months. The highest score was 7.90±1.12 and 7.87±1.09 points for general appearance and flavour, respectively at 9 months slaughter age and the lowest score of 7.33±1.10 points was recorded for the juiciness at 12 months of slaughter age. The highest score for tenderness and juiciness 7.84±1.10 point was recorded at 6 months of slaughter age. The chemical components did not vary significantly due to age at slaughter of the different primal cuts. The moisture, protein, fat and ash content in the range of 74.80±0.99 to 79.15±0.48 per cent, 17.24±0.55 to 20.39±0.36 per cent, 77±0.13 to 2.58±0.19 per cent and 0.85±0.06 to 1.34±0.08 per cent, respectively.