Carcass conformation (CON) was evaluated by Müller’s point scale (Müller 1980) in which the highest value indicated the best conformation. The muscle development was considered after the exclusion of fat thickness. The CON is reported as superior, very good, good, regular, poor, or inferior; ratings may also be reported as plus, average, and minus. The carcass length was evaluated by the measurements taken from the skull board to the pubic bone on the anterior side of the first rib.
Colour (COL). The muscle colour after 24 h carcass chilling was analysed. Colouration was evaluated according to a point scale 30 minutes after a cross-sectional cut made on the Longissimus between the 12th and 13th ribs (Müller, 1980).
Analysed by the generalized linear models method.