The pattern of growth and carcass composition of indigenous Iraqi black goats were
assessed through serial slaughter and carcass dissection of 36 kids at six different growth
phases. The general linear model procedure and allometric growth ‘equations were used to
assess the effects of various factors and differential growth of carcass components, '
respectively. Results showed that kids growth and carcass composition were significantly (P<
0-05 to P< O-O01) affected by the growth phase and sex of kids. The effects of growth phase
clearly showed that slower growth of the body and of carcass components were observed
during the third phase (i.e. after weaning). Although there was an effect on fat to lean ratios (P
_ < 005), growth phase had no significant effect on dressing out proportion, and lean to bone
ratios. A significant influence of sex (P < 0-O5) "was observed on lean to bone ratios. The
log/log regression of weights of dissectible carcass components on hot carcass and empty
body weight showed that the differential growth of bone was declining and that of lean was
isometric relative to the growth of empty body weight. For carcass fat, the allometric growth
coefficients (b) of 1.6 indicated that fat is a late maturing body component. Moreover the
growth of carcass fat relative to empty body weight in local goat was slower than that reported
for other goat breeds