[Jacob-list] Locker Lamb/ dress out percentages?

[Linda]

I'm really curious as to what everyone is getting as far as the ratio of live weight to carcass weight.  

Heather said > 35# hanging or approximately 55 live, which is a higher ratio than I think I'm getting, although I admit I'm guessing on live weight.  70-85 lbs live weight with 30 lbs of meat is a little lower than what I think I'm getting, but closer.  Without actually weighing my live lambs, I'm just wild guessing here.  My butcher says all species dress out at about 50%, but I can't see that applies to adult Jacobs.  I saved the top horns only from a three year old ram and they weighed a bit over 20#, which would have to affect the carcass weight.  I suppose the less horn development, the higher the dress out percentage?  There was a study done on rabbit weights by LSU (I think).  After lots of testing, it was determined that withholding feed and water for 48 hours before butchering resulted in a higher dress out ratio.  Due, of course, to the fact that the rabbits' digestive and urinary tracts were empty.  Same amount of meat, but a higher ratio.  

Linda
 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


>
>> A big thank you to everyone who posted replies to my locker lamb
>> inquiry! 
>>
>>       I think most of these must have been sent privately and
>> not to the list-- I think I just saw one answer. I'd like to hear
>> from everyone too, because it helps to figure out pricing ,etc. I
>> usually sell my butcher lambs at about 6-7 months because I'm
>> feeding them hay at that point--after separating from ewes who
>> get the irrigated pasture. (When or if my daughter's horses move
>> elsewhere then I may have pasture I can devote to ram lambs. I've
>> been able to sell the larger ones for $125 plus the processing
>> cost. These rams are 70-85 lbs. I end up with about 30 lbs of
>> meat.
>>
>> The main problem I've had with "feedlot" butcher lambs is the
>> parasite level. I sometimes don't worm as much as I should and
>> it's easy for the worm load to get ahead. Lambs that are already
>> stressed from parasites are more likely to have pneumonia or
>> coccidiosis. In different years I've experienced bouts with one
>> or the other of those. Prevention works best and that's what I'm
>> trying for this year.
>>
>> Robin Lynde
>> Meridian Jacobs
>> Vacaville, CA
>> www.meridianjacobs.com
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