The West African Dwarf Sheep II. Carcass Traits Mutton Quality

Abstract

CARCASSES of thirty African Dwarf ewes had a yield of 42.5%, about 5 mm backfat thickness and a loin eye of about 8cm²  Primal cuts made up 85% of the carcass. The best carcasses came from ewes slaughtered between two and four years of age. Average composition of retail cuts was 66.5% muscle, 26.5% bone and 7.0% fat. Young ewes were superior to young rams both in dressing percent (yield) and primal cuts. The ewes dressed 44% as compared to 40%; their retail cuts contained 67% muscle and 26% bone against 65% and 28% respectively for rams. Compared with mutton sheep of the temperate zone the West African Dwarf stand only 4/5 as high and are 2/3 long, while weighing only 1/4 to 1/3 that of European sheep. Yet the leg, the preferred cut, was 36% of the dressed carcass is compared to European mutton.