Effects of Slaughter Age and Sex on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Crossbred Kids Under Semi-Intensive System

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of age and sex on carcass traits, commercial cuts, and meat quality in crossbred kids. A total of 32 Boer × native crossbred kids were used, equally distributed according to sex and slaughter age: 16 male kids (8 slaughtered at 70 days and 8 at 100 days) and 16 female kids (8 at 70 days and 8 at 100 days). However, slaughter age significantly affected (p < 0.05) total weight gain, empty body weight, hot and cold carcass weights, loin eye area, internal fat percentage, and carcass compactness index. A significant interaction (p < 0.05) between sex and age was found for thoracic depth. In addition, leg length and leg compactness index were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by both factors. Slaughter age also had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on internal body length, leg length, rump width, thigh perimeter, rump perimeter, chest circumference, thoracic depth, internal thoracic depth, and carcass compactness index. Regarding commercial cuts (neck, shoulder, ribs, loin, and leg), slaughter age had a significant influence (p < 0.05), reflecting the same pattern observed in hot and cold carcass weights, and indicating consistent distribution across cuts. In conclusion, slaughter age had a more pronounced effect on carcass characteristics than sex, highlighting its importance in determining meat yield and quality in crossbred kids.