ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass characteristics of confined Santa Inês sheep, fed different diets, in a Semiarid environment. Twenty whole sheep with 5 ± 0.5 months of age and 27 ± 2.0 kg were used, receiving two different diets for 72 experimental days, one composed of defatted soybean meal and the other of protein-enriched cactus meal. They were evaluated for different diets, consumption, production, carcass characteristics, morphometric measures and edible components. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with two treatments and 10 replications. Performance data and carcass characteristics were evaluated by analysis of variance and means compared by t test at 5% probability level using Statistical Analysis System [SAS]® (1999). Thus, the use of emulsified palm forage protein in the feeding of Santa Inês male lambs proved to be an excellent protein source when compared to the use of defatted soybean meal, since the results of performance and carcass characteristics were similar, being the use of this alternative source advised as it presents the best benefit-cost ratio.

Castrated male goats (n = 40) of the Moxotó (n = 20) and Canindé (n = 20) breeds with an average weight of 15.3 kg were studied to determine intake, nutrient digestibility and weight gain for two diets with different energy levels. The experiment utilized a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (two breeds and two diets), in which goats were randomly allocated. A diet of low energy density and a forage:concentrate ratio of 70:30 was utilized along with a diet of high energy density and a forage:concentrate ratio of 35:64. To determine the nutrient intake and digestibility, at the end of the experiment, goats were kept in metabolism cages for a period of 15 days. Weighing of the goats was conducted weekly over a period of 90 days. The goats that were fed a diet of high energy density displayed significantly increased consumption of metabolic fractions, with the exception of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, when compared with those fed a diet of low energy density. The lack of difference in dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake indicated that goats have a high digestive capacity for the diet containing a greater quantity of Maniçoba hay. Weight gain was significantly greater for those on the diet of greater energy density. Among the breeds, Canindé goats recorded the highest average consumption and weight gain. Coefficients of digestibility were significantly greater for the more energy dense diet, with no difference between breeds. Regardless of diet, the Canindé breed shows greater weight gain than the Moxotó breed.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características quantitativas da carcaça de caprinos Moxotó e Canindé terminados em confinamento e recebendo dietas com dois níveis de energia. Foram utilizados 40 cabritos castrados, com peso médio de 15,2 kg, sendo 20 da raça Moxotó e 20 da raça Canindé, suplementados com dietas contendo 2,20 e 2,71 (Mcal/kg MS). O período experimental consistiu de 86 dias. Não se constatou distinções entre as medidas barimétricas de cabritos Moxotó e Canindé. Os cabritos da raça Canindé caracterizam-se por apresentar maior peso final, peso vivo pós-jejum e peso de carcaça quente e fria, que animais da raça Moxotó. Os animais que consumiram dietas com maior nível de energia apresentaram maior peso final e conformação, assim como maiores rendimentos de carcaça. Considerando-se os valores percentuais dos cortes comerciais não se observaram distinções entre os tratamentos. A dieta atuou como principal fator de influência sobre os componentes não constituintes da carcaça de caprinos das raças Moxotó e Canindé. De modo geral, caprinos da raça Canindé apresentam características quantitativas de carcaça superior a raça Moxotó. O fornecimento da dieta com maior nível energético (2,71 Mcal/kg MS) para caprinos da Raça Moxotó e Canindé, em confinamento, favorece a produção de carcaças com rendimentos superiores e cortes comerciais mais pesados.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the quantitative characteristics of carcasses of Moxotó and Canindé goats finished in feedlots and fed diets of two levels of energy. It was used 40 castrated young goats, 20 from Moxotó breed and 20 from Canindé breed, each one with an average body weight of 15.2 kg. The animals were fed with diets containing 2.20 and 2.71 (Mcal/kg DM). The experimental period lasted 86 days. There was no difference among the barometric measures of Moxotó and Canindé kids. Canindé goats showed higher final weight, higher weight after fasting and higher hot and cold carcass weights when compared to the Moxotó animals. Animals that consumed diets with higher energy level had higher final weight and conformation as well as higher carcass yield. Considering the percentage values of the commercial meat cuts, no difference among treatments was observed. The diet was the factor that most influenced the non-constituent components of the carcass of Moxotó and Canindé goats. In general, animals belonging to the Canindé breed presented higher quantitative characteristics than the Moxotó breed. Supply of diets with higher energetic level (2.71 Mcal/kg DM) for goats from Moxotó and Canindé breeds, in feedlots, favors the production of carcass with higher yields and heavier commercial meat cuts.