Journal of Natural Sciences Research www.iiste.

org
ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0921 (Online)
Vol.5, No.5, 2015

The Carcass and Non-Carcass Parameters of Local Sheep

Supplemented with Concentrate Mixture, Atella, Faidherbia
albida leaf and Sesbania sesban leaf
Hagos Hadgu Abreha
Department of Animal Science and Eco-tourism, Aksum University Shire Campus ,P.O. Box 314, Shire,
Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
The experiment was conducted to determine the supplemental value of concentrate mixture of 75% wheat bran
and 25% Sesame seed cake (T1), Atella (T2), Faidherbia albida leaf (T3) and Sesbania sesban leaf (T4) on
carcass and non-carcass parameters using twenty four yearling intact local male sheep with mean initial body
weight (IBW) of 18 ±1.55 kg (mean ± SD). Randomized complete block design was used for the experiment and
sheep were blocked into six based on IBW. Sheep within block were randomly assigned to treatments. The
experiment was conducted for 90 days (feeding trial) after 15 days acclimatization period. The amount of
supplements offered were 300 (T1), 330 (T2), 360 (T3) and 280 (T4) g/day on DM basis, each calculated to supply
73.6 g/day crude protein (CP). The carcass and non-carcass parameters were evaluated at the end of the
experiment. Hot carcass weight ranged from 9.75 kg to 11 kg. Most carcass parameters (slaughter weight, empty
body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib-eye muscle area, fore-leg, hind-leg, ribs with muscle,
sternum and neck) followed similar trends like average daily gain (ADG), in which these parameters were higher
in T1 and lower in T3; however T1 and T3 were similar with T2 and T4.
Keywords: dressing percentage, edible offals, hot carcass weight, local sheep, non-edible offals, slaughter
weight

1. INTRODUCTION
Most investigations in animal nutrition have been conducted on supplementation of poor quality roughages with
concentrates (Mekoya, 2008). However, concentrate feeds especially grains and oil seeds are expensive and
highly valued as human food (Almaz et al., 2012). Thus, maximization of livestock productivity in the tropical
regions largely depends on utilization of local protein sources (Seyoum et al., 1996). Hence, supplementary
feeds produced on-farm other than commercial concentrates is needed for livestock feeding. In this regard,
strategic supplementation of unexploited, cheap, less competitive, and year round and easily accessible protein
sources like Atella, Sesbania sesban and Faidherbia albida in place of the highly priced concentrate feeds can be
a feasible alternative to mitigate protein deficiency in poor quality feeds during periods of feed scarcity.
Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of supplementation with isonitrogenous levels of
concentrate mixture, Atella, F. albida leaf and S. sesban leaf on carcass and non-carcass parameters of local
sheep fed hay basal diet.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Description of Study Area
The study was conducted at Aksum University Shire campus located at a distance of 1087 km North of Addis
Ababa. The site is situated at an altitude of 1800 meter above sea level with 140 06` to 140 07`N latitude and 380
16' to 380 17'E longitude. The average annual rainfall varies between 726 and 1047 mm, and average minimum
and maximum temperatures are 20°C and 25°C, respectively.

2.2. Dietary Treatments and Experimental Design

Natural pasture hay was used as a basal diet. The hay was chopped to a length of approximately 4-5 cm.
Concentrate mixture was prepared by mixing 75% wheat bran and 25% sesame seed cake. Atella (local brewery
byproduct) was collected from traditionally “Tella” brewing individuals in Shire town, which was prepared
mainly from finger millet and small amounts of barely as fermentation catalyst. The wet Atella was sun dried for
3-4 consecutive days by thinly spreading on plastic sheets. The leaves of F. albida and S. sesban were collected
by hand stripping and were subjected to air drying under shade for 2-3 days by spreading on plastic sheets.
The amount of concentrate mixture in this experiment was determined to be 300 g on DM basis based
on the research findings of Zemichael and Solomon (2009) for Arado sheep. The supplement for the other
treatments was on isonitrogenous basis. Samples of treatment feeds were analyzed for dry matter (DM) and
crude protein (CP) content before commencement of the experiment to determine the amount of the experimental
rations. The DM and CP content obtained from laboratory analysis were 93.47% and 24.53% for concentrate

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ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0921 (Online)
Vol.5, No.5, 2015

mixture; 93.82% and 22.32% for Atella; 94.22% and 20.28% for F. albida leaf; and 93.09% and 26.37% for S.
sesban leaf on DM basis, respectively. Thus, the 300 g concentrate mixture (75% WB to 25% SSC) supplied
73.6 g/day CP on DM basis. To supply the same amount of CP on isonitrogenous basis, 330 g Atella, 360 g F.
albida leaf and 280 g S. sesban leaf on DM basis were supplied for sheep in the other treatments daily. The
layout of the experimental treatments for the study was:
T1 = Hay ad libitum + 300 g DM concentrate mixture
T2 = Hay ad libitum + 330 g DM sun dried Atella
T3 = Hay ad libitum + 360 g DM Faidherbia albida leaf
T4 = Hay ad libitum + 280 g DM Sesbania sesban leaf
Randomized complete block design was used to conduct the experiment. Sheep were blocked in to six blocks of
four sheep each based on their initial body weight (IBW). Sheep within a block were assigned to one of the four
dietary treatments randomly.

2.3. Management of Experimental Animals

The experiment was conducted using twenty four yearling intact local male sheep with an average initial body
weight of 18 ± 1.55 kg (mean ± SD). The sheep were quarantined for 21 days in the experimental area; and
sheep were de-wormed and sprayed against internal and external parasites, respectively. They were also
vaccinated against the common diseases prevailing in the area. After 15 days acclimatization period, the feeding
trial experiment was conducted for 90 days to determine the carcass and non-carcass parameters. The sheep were
offered supplement feeds twice a day at 0800 and 1700 hours.

2.4. Carcass Evaluation

All sheep were allowed to fast overnight before slaughtering, weighed to determine slaughter weight (SW) and
slaughtered by severing the jugular vein and carotid arteries with a knife for carcass evaluation. The blood was
collected into plastic buckets, weighed and recorded. The esophagus was tied off close to the head to avoid
leaking of gut contents. The skin was carefully flayed to avoid attachment of fat and muscle tissues to the skin
and then weighed without feet and the feet below fetlock joints were weighed and recorded separately for each
sheep. The entire gastro intestinal tract (GIT), except esophagus, was removed with its content and weighed with
and without its contents and the weight of the gut content was measured by difference. Non-edible offals (NEOs)
such as, skin, feet, spleen, penis and penis fat, lung with trachea and esophagus, bladder and gut contents; and
the edible offals (EOs) namely, head, liver with bile, heart, kidney, tail, reticulo-rumen, omasum and abomasum,
small and large intestine, blood, total fat (omental, heart and kidney fat), testes and tongue were weighed and
recorded separately. Classification of offals in to NEOs and EOs were based on eating habit of the people
residing in and around the study area.
The total non-edible offals (TNEOs) and total edible offals (TEOs) were computed as the sum of all
NEOs and all EOs, respectively. Empty body weight (EBW) of each sheep was determined by subtracting
weight of digesta from slaughter weight. Hot carcass weight (HCW) was computed by excluding contents of
thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavity, head, skin, and the limbs. Dressing percentage (DP) was also calculated as
a ratio of HCW to SW, and HCW to EBW.
The cross sectional area of rib-eye muscle (REMA) was traced on transparency paper between the
eleventh and twelfth ribs (Galal et al., 1979) of the left and right half sides of the carcass after freezing and the
area was measured using planimeter. The value for the rib-eye area was taken as the average of the two sides of
the ribs.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The data obtained from carcass and non-carcass parameters were subjected to analysis of variance using the
General Linear Model procedure of SAS (2008). Treatment means were separated by using Tukey`s Studentized
range test. The model used for data analysis was:
Yij = µ + Ti + Bj +eij
Where; Yij = response variable, µ = overall mean, Ti = treatment effect, Bj = block effect, eij = random error

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Carcass Parameters
The values of carcass components of local sheep fed grass hay and supplemented with concentrate mixture, sun
dried Atella and leafs of F. albida and S. sesban are given in Table 1. The SW, HCW, DP and REMA differed
among treatments and took a similar trend like that of average daily gain (ADG), and as such were greater for T1
than T3, but similar among other treatment means. Higher EBW was also observed in T1 and T2 compared to T3,
while T4 was similar with T2 and T3. The HCW in this study is slightly in agreement with the values 10.8-12.1
kg reported by Zemichael and Solomon (2009), but higher than 6.1-7.2 kg reported by Neamn (2011) for the

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Vol.5, No.5, 2015

supplemented sheep groups.

Dressing percentage, which is an important criterion in carcass merit consideration, is affected by
breed, age, sex and plane of nutrition. Values of dressing percentage as empty body weight (DPEBW) bases
were higher than dressing percentage as slaughter weight (DPSW) bases, which indicate the influence of digesta
on dressing percentage. DPEBW basis in this study was comparable to 53-56.3% (Abebe, 2011), 53-57%
(Emebet, 2008) and 55.7-56.4% (Hagos, 2011). On the other hand, lower results of DPEBW (48.6-50% and 47-
53%) than the current study were reported by Neamn (2011) and Zemichael and Solomon (2009), respectively.
In the present study, the DPSW bases ranged between 46.0-49.0%, which is in agreement with the 45-
45.6% for Arsi-Bale sheep (Abebe, 2011), and the 47.3-48.6% for Tigray highland sheep (Amare, 2007).
Relatively lower dressing percentages of 39.5-43.4%, 36-38.4%, 32-38% and 38-39.6% on slaughter weight
basis than the present study were reported by Zemichael and Solomon (2009) for Arado sheep, Mulu (2005) for
Wogera sheep, Neamn (2011) for local sheep and Gebretinsae (2011) for local sheep, respectively. Generally,
the variations in carcass traits in this study and other results of previous studies may be due to variations in age
and breed of sheep, and quantity and quality of basal and supplement feeds used for the experiment. In
agreement with this, McDonald et al. (2010) noted that, nutrition, age, sex, genetics, season and other related
factors affect the growth and carcass traits of animals.
REMA is an indicator of muscling and amount of lean meat in the carcass. The REMA in this study is
within the range of 6.35-9.25 cm2 reported by Amare (2007). Comparable results to the present study was also
reported by Guesh (2011) (6.7-7.3 cm2) and Hirut (2008) (7-8.4 cm2) for Black Head Ogaden sheep and Hararghe
Highland sheep, respectively. In contrast, REMA in the current study are lower than the values of 13-19.5, 8.2-
10.4, 11.5-12.75 and 8.6-9.5cm2 reported by Mulu (2005), Emebet (2008), Zemichael and Solomon (2009) and
Abebe (2011) for supplemented groups of Wogera sheep, Black Head Ogaden sheep, Arado sheep and Arsi-Bale
sheep, respectively; but higher than 4.5-6.5 and 5.7-6.4 cm2 reported by Neamn (2011) and Hagos (2011) for
local sheep and Tigray Highland sheep, respectively. Different previous works showed that supplementation of
different protein sources had significant and positive effect on REMA and the differences in REMA reported by
various authors may be due to variations in the amount and quality of supplement proteins, and variations in
sheep breeds used.
Table 1. Carcass parameters of local sheep fed hay and supplemented with concentrate mixture, Atella,
Faidherbia albida and Sesbania sesban leaves.
Carcass Treatment feeds
parameters T1 T2 T3 T4 SEM SL
a ab b ab
SW (kg) 22.3 21.9 21.2 21.6 0.18 **
ADG (g/day) 50a 45ab 38b 42ab 2.3 *
EBW (kg) 18.4a 17.9ab 17.1c 17.7bc 0.18 **
a ab b
HCW (kg) 11.0 10.4 9.75 10.2ab 0.21 **
Dressing percentage:
SW basis (%) 49.0a 47.6ab 46.0b 46.9ab 0.55 **
a ab b
EBW basis (%) 59.6 58.2 57.1 57.4ab 0.59 *
REMA (cm2) 7.7a 7.3ab 6.9b 7.2ab 0.12 **
a-c
mean values in a row having different superscripts differ significantly; ns= not significant; *= significant at P
< 0.05; **= significant at P < 0.01; CM= concentrate mixture (75% wheat bran and 25% sesame seed cake); T1 =
Hay ad libitum + 300 g DM/day CM; T2 = Hay ad libitum + 330 g DM/day Atella; T3 = Hay ad libitum + 360 g
DM/day F. albida; T4 = Hay ad libitum +280 g DM/day S.sesban

3.1.1. Main carcass components

The main carcass components of local sheep are presented in Table 2. Higher weights of fore-leg, hind-leg and
sternum (P < 0.01), rib with muscle and neck (P < 0.05) were observed for sheep in T1 compared to sheep in T3.
However, both sheep in T1 and T3 were similar (P > 0.05) with sheep in T2 and T4 for these parameters. Loin
weight was similar for all treatments in this study. The higher weights of carcass components in T1 may be
associated with the higher nutrient digestibility and lower fiber fractions in the treatment (Hagos, 2014), which
resulted in higher ADG and HCW as compared to T3.

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ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0921 (Online)
Vol.5, No.5, 2015

Table 2. Main carcass components of local sheep fed hay and supplemented with concentrate mixture, Atella,
Faidherbia albida and Sesbania sesban leaves
Carcass parameters Treatment feeds SEM SL
(kg) T1 T2 T3 T4
Fore-leg 1.70a 1.61ab 1.47b 1.59ab 0.039 **
a ab b
Hind-leg 2.09 1.96 1.85 1.96ab 0.037 **
Ribs with muscle 1.65a 1.56ab 1.45b 1.54ab 0.044 *
a a b
Sternum (Brisket) 0.50 0.47 0.39 0.46ab 0.019 **
Neck 0.81a 0.7ab 0.62b 0.71ab 0.034 *
Loin 1.46 1.42 1.28 1.4 0.048 ns
a, b
= mean values in a row having different superscripts differ significantly; ns= not significant; *= significant at
P < 0.05; **= significant at P < 0.01; ***= significant at P < 0.001; SEM = Standard Error of Means; CM=
concentrate mixture (75% wheat bran and 25% sesame seed cake); T1 = Hay ad libitum + 300 g DM/day CM; T2
= Hay ad libitum + 330 g DM/day Atella; T3 = Hay ad libitum + 360 g DM/day F. albida; T4 = Hay ad libitum
+280 g DM/day S.sesban

3.2. Non-Carcass Parameters

3.2.1. Edible offal components
The edible offal components of local sheep are presented in Table 3. In the present study, higher (P < 0.01)
weights of liver and visceral fat were observed in sheep supplemented with T1 than sheep in T3. The increase in
liver weight of sheep groups in T1 may be related with the storage of reserve substances such as glycogen as
described by Lawrence and Amedeo (1989). Similarly, the higher weight of visceral fat in T1 may also be due to
higher digestible OM and CP intake, and higher OM and CP digestibility, which promoted higher internal fat
deposition in different organs (omentum, kidney and heart) in T1 compared to T3 (Hagos, 2014).
Higher weights of testes (P < 0.05), omasum and abomasum, and small and large intestines (P < 0.001)
were observed in T1 than T3, but was similar (P > 0.05) with T2. The tail weight in T1, T2 and T3 was higher (P <
0.001) compared to T4. Total edible offals (TEOs) were higher in sheep supplemented with T1 than T3; this may
be associated with the heavier weights of omasum and abomasum, small and large intestines, liver and visceral
fat in T1. However, there was lack of differences (P > 0.05) in the weights of reticulo-rumen between T1 and T3,
and among T2, T3 and T4; and in testes weight among T1, T2 and T4 as well as among T2, T3 and T4. Similar
weights of TEOs were also observed between T1 and T2, and among T2, T3 and T4. Although significant
difference were observed in the weight of total edible offals, non significant differences (P > 0.05) of total edible
offals as a percent of slaughter weight were observed among the treatments. Results of the present study also
indicate that, the weights of head, tongue, blood, heart, testes and kidney were not different (P>0.05) among the
treatments. This was in harmony with the findings of Mulu (2005) who reported, the weights of offal
components rich in bone and/or offal components with a low metabolic activity (like head, feet and lungs) varied
slightly with diet, as these organs are early maturing parts.
Table 3. Edible offal components of local sheep fed hay and supplemented with concentrate mixture, Atella,
Faidherbia albida and Sesbania sesban leaves
Treatments
Edible offals T1 T2 T3 T4 SEM SL
Head (Kg) 1.12 1.10 1.12 1.11 0.020 ns
Blood (g) 707.5 705.0 701.7 702.5 10.90 ns
Tongue(g) 105.0 104.2 102.2 105.8 1.77 ns
Heart (g) 90.8 91.7 80.8 89.2 4.01 ns
Kidney (g) 52.7 53.3 51.7 52.5 1.43 ns
Testes (g) 352.5a 341.7ab 310.0b 343.3ab 9.22 *
Liver + Bile (g) 334.2a 322.5ab 307.5c 315.0bc 3.59 ***
Visceral fat (g) 232.3a 215.8a 178.8c 197.2b 4.34 ***
a b ab
Ret-Rum (g) 434.2 411.7 421.7 406.7b 3.81 ***
Oma-Abo (g) 252.5a 242.5a 220.0b 240.8a 4.40 ***
SI and LI (g) 535.8a 523.3ab 510.8bc 502.5c 4.48 ***
a a a
Tail (g) 464.2 458.3 448.3 427.5b 4.37 ***
TEOs (Kg) 4.68a 4.57ab 4.45b 4.50b 0.037 **
TEOs (% SW) 21.1 21.0 21.1 20.9 0.21 ns
a, b
mean values in a row having different superscripts differ significantly; ns= not significant; *= significant at P
< 0.05; **= significant at P < 0.01; ***= significant at P < 0.001; SEM= standard error of mean; SL=
significance level; Ret-Rum = reticulo-rumen; Oma-Abo = Omasum and Abomasum; CM= concentrate mixture

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Vol.5, No.5, 2015

(75% wheat bran and 25% sesame seed cake); T1 = Hay ad libitum + 300 g DM/day CM; T2 = Hay ad libitum +
330 g DM/day Atella; T3 = Hay ad libitum + 360 g DM/day F. albida; T4 = Hay ad libitum +280 g DM/day
S.sesban
3.2.2. Non-edible offal components
The non-edible offal components of local sheep are presented in Table 4. All non-edible offal components were
not significant (P > 0.05), except weight of skin, gut contents and total non-edible offals (TNEOs). The skin
weight of T1 and T2 were higher than T4; and similarity was observed between T1 and T2, T2 and T3, and T3 and
T4. The difference in skin weight may be due to the better subcutaneous layer fat deposition of sheep
supplemented with concentrate mixture and Atella. Higher weights of TNEOs were also observed in T2 followed
by T1 and T3; and the lowest was recorded for T4.
Table 4. Non-edible offal components of local sheep fed hay and supplemented with concentrate mixture, Atella,
Faidherbia albida and Sesbania sesban leaves
Treatment feeds
Non edible offals T1 T2 T3 T4 SEM SL
Skin (kg) 1.78a 1.73ab 1.60bc 1.48c 0.031 ***
Penis and penis fat (g) 47.5 45.4 42.5 42.7 1.56 ns
Feet (g) 419.2 420.0 415.8 421.2 7.61 ns
LTE (g) 485.0 479.2 441.7 461.7 19.59 ns
Spleen (g) 64.5 63.2 60.7 63.8 2.59 ns
Bladder (g) 28.8 28.3 26.3 28.2 1.07 ns
Gut content (kg) 3.88b 3.99a 3.98ab 3.89b 0.023 **
TNEOs (kg) 6.71ab 6.76a 6.56bc 6.4c 0.047 ***
TNEOs (% SW) 30.34 31.04 31.07 29.71 0.379 ns
a, b
mean values in a row having different superscripts differ significantly; ns=not significant; **= significant at P
< 0.01; ***= significant at P < 0.001; LTE =lung + trachea + esophagus; CM= concentrate mixture (75% wheat
bran and 25% sesame seed cake); T1 = Hay ad libitum + 300 g DM/day CM; T2 = Hay ad libitum + 330 g
DM/day Atella; T3 = Hay ad libitum + 360 g DM/day F. albida; T4 = Hay ad libitum +280 g DM/day S.sesban

4. CONCLUSION
Most carcass parameters (slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib-eye
muscle area, fore-leg, hind-leg, ribs with muscle, sternum and neck) were higher for sheep supplemented with
concentrate mixture and lower for sheep supplemented with F. albida leaf; however sheep supplemented with
concentrate mixture and F. albida leaf show similar results of carcass and non-carcass parameters with those
supplemented with Atella and S. sesban leaf. Thus, it is recommended that, small holder sheep producers can use
Atella and S. sesban in place of the highly valued commercial concentrate feeds. Similarly, the feeding values of
Atella and S. sesban can be replaced by F. albida leaf because of their similar effects on the carcass and non-
carcass parameters of local sheep.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to my wife Megdelawit and my son Nahom for
their understanding, encouragement and endurance at all stages of my work. Secondly , my greatest debt also
goes to my family members, especially, my father Hadgu Abreha, my mother Zewdu Hailu and all my brothers
and sisters and the rest all my friends and relatives for their devotion, inspiration, unlimited material and moral
support and affection.

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