Características de carcaças de caprinos e ovinos.

Abstract

This dissertation has two chapters, a literature review about the subject and date evaluation work, obtained from several experiments over last 10 years, about the theme. In the first chapter, a literary review was conduct addressing the main points about characteristics, exploitation and commercialization of small ruminants carcasses. In the second chapter the effect of the species (goats and sheep) on the composition of meat cuts of small ruminants carcasses was evaluated. The trade of small ruminants meat has great potential, but it is little explored due to the difficulty in meeting consumer demands. From the perspective of meeting these requirements, confinement arises in order to intensify production systems. Currently, in the Brazilian semiarid region, the exploitation of goats and sheep without defined racial pattern prevails and to obtain carcasses with good characteristics, their crossing with pure animals is essential. Thus, knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the carcass that may vary due to intrinsic factors (genotype, sex, weight and age at slaughter) and / or extrinsic factors (feeding, management, type of fasting) is fundamental. Given this, the study of the influence of the species on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of small ruminants carcasses in confinement is important for the goat and sheep commercial development and valuation in the Brazilian semiarid region.