Influence of partial and full castration on growth and feed conversion performances of Poulfouli rams of the Far North Cameroon

Abstract

The authors made the growth and feed conversion performances comparison between groups of Burdizro rams, castrated _rams at an age of 6.5 months and partially castrated rams at 2 months by  the short scrotum technique. After a 384 days experiment, the average weights  are  respectively  49.24 kg,  39.44 kg  and  47.15 kg.  The  daily weight gains for the 244 days period following total castration are respectively 110 g, 75 g and 102 g (0.05 > p > 0.01).  Full  castration has consequently a depressive action on the weight gain. No significa­tive difference is observed between entire rams and partially  castrated ones. Heart girth and height at withers were not significatively influenced by these treatments. Consumption index and voluntary feed intake of the fully castrated rams are above those of the 2  other  groups, which means a lower feed conversion and a higher cost of the weight gain.