Carcass evaluation of intact male and female capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) at slaughter point in semi-intensive farming system

Abstract

The study was carried out with capybaras from Embrapa Clima Temperado experimental farming, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil. The objective was to determinate, in intact males and females capybaras bred in semi-intensive farming, values of evaluation parameters in the animal exterior, in the carcass and in the cuts. Thirty five capybaras were utilized, 20 female and 15 intact male at slaughter point, at age of 12-18 months and mean weight of 38.96 kg. The capybaras were fed with corn, residue from the rice harvested and cultivated forages. There was no differences between males and females in the evaluations of animal exterior and carcasses, except for leg lenght wich was greater (P<0.01) in males than females. It was obtained excellent cold carcass dressing (58.26%) considering the male and female data as a whole, which were better than those reported for ruminants, and there was no differences (P>0.05) between sexes. The mean percentages of carcass muscle, fat and bone were, respectively, 68.61%, 19.45% and 11.93%, considering the data as a whole. Nevertheless, the regional composition varied between sexes. The percentages of shoulder and loin were greater in males, 17.97% (P<0.05) and 9.14% (P<0.01), than in the females, which showed 16.97% e 7.87%, respectively. It is concluded that excellent carcass and meat yield of intact male and female capybara in the slaughter point, maintained on semi-intensive farming, could be attained.