Abstract

The increase in world population has also increased the demand of meat with low fat and high protein to satisfy their protein requirements. In this study, we have measured and analyzed the growth, body shape and appearance, meat performance and meat ingredients of the hybrid offspring of wild argali and pure Bashibay sheep and also their comparison was made with pure Bashibay sheep. The results showed that, hybrids were similar as wild argali on body shape and appearance, with less fat buttocks; some ewes had almost no fat rump. Meanwhile, with similar wool quality and color as Bashibay sheep, hybrids inherited the characteristics of rapid early growth of Bashibay sheep for its early growth speed and strength and improved gradually with the increased breeding performance of backcrossing generations; total fat of second backcross generation reduced 3870 g comparing with pure Bashibaysheep, lean meat increased 1500 g, the thickness of thigh muscle and waist muscle increased 0.5 cm respectively, the thickness of back fat layer reduced 1 cm and waist fat layer reduced 1.5 cm, fat rump reduced 85.3% and lean meat increased 15.0%.

Key words: Wild argali, Bashibay sheep, hybrid, meat performance, meat.