Dry matter intake:

estimates the daily feed requirement of the animal (mainly providing energy, protein, minerals) on a dry matter basis. It is calculated as the difference of the daily feed offered and refused.

Empty body weight:  

the weight obtained when the weight of the contents of the digestive tract (contents in the alimentary canal) is subtracted from the slaughter weight.

Fasting weight loss:

the weight loss recorded after an animal is fasted (from feed but not water) usually for 16 hours before it is slaughtered.

Feed conversion efficiency:

the ratio of the kg of feed fed per kg gain of the animal.

Hot carcass weight:

the weight usually taken within 45 minutes after slaughter and excluding body components such as head, feet, skin, blood, visceral organs (kidneys, liver, heart, lungs), testicles, fat depots (scrotal fat, kidney and pelvic fat and omental fat) and intestines.

Shrinkage weight loss:

the difference between hot and chilled carcass weight following storage of carcass for 24 hours at about 4^oC.