Not AvailableThe present study was conducted to know the effect of two levels of detoxified neem
(Azadirachta indica) seed cake (DNC) on the carcass characteristics of male lambs. Eighteen
male lambs were randomly divided in three groups of six each with group I control
concentrate containing soyabean meal (SBM) and group II and III fed with concentrate
mixtures containing defatted and DNC at two levels DNC25 and DNC50 for five months. At
the end of feeding trial, the sheep were slaughtered humanely and slaughter weight, carcass
weight, dressing percentages, and percentage weight of various organs were calculated and
analysed statistically. The mean±SE slaughter weight (kg) and carcass weight (kg) of sheep
were 18.33±1.27 and 13.65±0.95 in group I, 17.68±1.28 and 13.15±1.03 in group II,
18.00±0.99 and 13.71±0.79 in group III, respectively. The dressing percentages on slaughter
weight basis were 49.74±1.26, 49.69±1.04 and 51.94±0.55, respectively. No significant
difference in the slaughter weight, carcass weight and dressing percentages between the three
groups was observed. The percentage of slaughter weight of various organs like skin, head,
feet, heart, lungs, spleen, testicles, kidney and liver showed no significant difference between
the treatment and control groups. Thus, the detoxified neem seed cake can be fed to sheep as
protein replacement without affecting the carcass characteristics, which will reduce the feed
cost and improve the profitability of the sheep farmers in India.Not Availabl