Abstract

MUNOZ-OSORIO, Germani Adrián et al. Description of intensive lamb fattening systems in Yucatan, Mexico. Nova scientia [online]. 2015, vol.7, n.15, pp.207-226. ISSN 2007-0705.

The aim of this study was to describe lamb fattening intensive systems in the State of Yucatan, Mexico. The study was carried out from March to June 2013. Thirty four surveys were applied to either owners or managers at the farms, selected by convenience. The information gathered was analyzed throughout frequency tables, central tendency measures, and ANOVA using the STATGRAPHICS software© Centurion XV. Results showed that the main differences among lamb fattening intensive systems were housing type: a) ground level stalls (GLS) and b) Slated-raised stalls (SRS). The genotypes of animals were mainly composed by crosses of Pelibuey, Dorper and Katahdin breeds (93.94%). Feeding relies mostly on commercial concentrated feeds (47.06%), feeds made at the farm (47.06%) and made by informal dealers (5.88%). Routine health managements were vaccination (79.41%) and deworming (100%). A better productive performance of fattening lambs was found in SRS compared to those from GLS. The sale of live animals (91.18%) was the main source of income, with a price of MX$29.75/kg. Most of the farmers (67.65%) used to commercialize their animals directly at farm. There is a need for prospective studies on both productive and economic aspects of these systems.

Keywords : Lamb; growth; housing systems; slatted-rised floor.