Meta-Analysis of Performance and Carcass Values in Lamb Fattening in Türkiye

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This study aimed to reach a common conclusion for different breeds, regions, years, ages and fattening periods by examining studies on lamb fattening in Türkiye between 2000-2024 years concerning performance and carcass characteristics with a metaanalysis.The analysis included 51 research results from 21 studies that met the study criteria consisting of being conducted after the year 2000, investigating variables such as initial live weight (ILW), slaughtered body weight (SBW), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP), cold carcass weight (CCW) and yield (CCY), with at least three studies on a breed, and being conducted in Türkiye.The highest values for ILW and SBW were detected in the Awassi breed and the Eastern Anatolia region.For DWG, significantly highest value was calculated in the Morkaraman breed (265.95g; P<0.05).The best values for FCR were calculated in Akkaraman breed (5.10 kg); in Eastern Anatolia region (4.84 kg); <90 days (5.06 kg) according to fattening start age, and according to fattening period, ≥90 days (4.77 kg) (P<0.01).The Awassi breed had the highest values concerning HCW, DP, CCW, and CCY from the carcass data, whereas Marmara region had the lowest values among the regions.In conclusion, it can be speculated that the Awassi, Morkaraman, and Akkaraman breeds are preferred primarily, Eastern and Central Anatolia are more suitable regionally, and fattening lambs <90 days old and long-term fattening (≥90 days) are prominent both technically and economically.