title: [Influence of partial and total castration on the growth and feed conversion performances of Poulfouli rams of the Far North Cameroon].
abstract: The authors compared the growth and feed conversion performances of groups of Burdizzo 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-day experiment, the average weights are, respectively, 49.24 kg, 39.44 kg and 47.15 kg. The daily weight gains for the 244-day period following total castration are, respectively, 110 g, 75 g and 102 g (0.05 greater than p greater than 0.01). Full castration has consequently a depressive action on the weight gain. No significant difference is observed between totally and partially castrated rams. Heart girth and height at withers were not significantly 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.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thys
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardouin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verhulst
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002163:Cameroon; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development*
vernacular_title: Influence de la castration partielle et totale sur les performances de croissance et de conversion alimentaire de béliers Poulfouli de l'Extrême-Nord Cameroun.