Recherche d'un âge optimal de castration chez la race bovine Alur en système d'élevage extensif au Zaïre

Abstract

Determination of the optimum age for castration by the Alur cattle breed under extensive production in Zaire. Considering a few difficultes which seem to hinder the popularization of the castration technique in the real environment of Ituri (North Eastern Zaire), the authors suggest the trend towards the reducing of the age margin regularly observed during the running of that operation. It appeared that the age between 3 and 5 months seems favourable for the popularizer as well as for the animal and the breeder regarding the operation, the stress and the meat quality. Considering the yields in butchery the carcass weights of castrated animals are nearly the same as those of non castrated ones.

Keywords

• Optimum of age
• Castration
• Alur bovine breed
• Extensive animal husbandry