Evaluation of body composition of male Sudan desert sheep

Abstract

Sixty-six male Sudan desert sheep representing different weight classes of sheep commonly slaughtered in the local market were sacrificed and slaughter and carcass data collected. The model, y= a x xb , in the logarithmic form, was used to describe the patterns of the relative weight changes of the components of the body and to estimate the composition of the empty body and the carcass at different nominal weights. As the sheep increased in empty body weight the percentage represented by organs and offal parts decreased and that of the carcass increased. With increasing carcass weight, wholesale cuts other than loin cut remained a constant percentage of the carcass weight. The percentage of edible meat in the carcass and its cuts increased with increasing carcass weight but that of bone decreased. The percentage of bone in the carcass was exceptionally high compared with recognized mutton breeds. A possible way to improve carcass quality of the Sudan desert sheep through breeding is, presumably, to reduce the bone content of the carcass.