Abstract
The article presents the results of a study on the growth, development, and meat productivity of Akzhayik meat-wool crossbred lambs obtained through different parental selection methods under the conditions of the West Kazakhstan region. Indicators such as live weight, growth dynamics, absolute weight gain, and growth rate at different age periods were analyzed. It was established that live weight is an important integral indicator reflecting both genetic characteristics of animals and the conditions of their management and feeding. The influence of genotype and parental selection on the intensity of growth and development of lambs was also determined. A comprehensive evaluation of meat productivity in 4.5-month-old ram lambs was carried out, including analysis of slaughter traits, yield of main slaughter products, by-products, carcass grading and morphological composition, as well as the chemical composition of meat. The best results were obtained from animals produced by homogeneous selection (meat type × meat type). These lambs were characterized by higher pre-slaughter and slaughter weights, better carcass yield, higher meat content, improved meatiness coefficient, and more favorable chemical composition of meat. The obtained results indicate the effectiveness of using meat-type rams and ewes to improve meat productivity and enhance the quality characteristics of Akzhayik sheep products.