Effects of distillated myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) leaves’ intake on cull ewes’ body weight gain, carcass composition and meat quality

Aim of study: Cull ewes are characterized by poor body condition, low body weights and tough meat texture. This work aimed to investigate the effect of distillated myrtle leaves (MDL) intake on body weight (BW) gain; carcass characteristics and meat quality of Barbarine cull ewes.Area of study: Northwest of TunisiaMaterial and methods: 27 Barbarine ewes were assigned into 3 groups receiving 500 g of oat hay and 750 g of concentrate control group (C), while they were given concentrate and pellets, containing 87% MDL, as substitute to hay in MHay group; for MConc group, they were fed hay, concentrate and pellets containing 30% MDL in partial substitution to concentrate. At the end of the fattening period (90 days), ewes were slaughtered.Main results: The dry matter intake was higher (p<0.05) for MConc and C groups. The average daily gain was significantly higher for C and MConc than MHay groups (113 and 107 vs. 87 g, respectively). Ewes fed MHay and MConc had a significantly lower feed conversion rate than Control group (12.5 vs. 15.4). Dietary treatment had no significant effect on carcass joint’s weight and proportions. The dressing percentage and carcass tissue composition were similar for all groups. The ultimate pH, water cooking loss and color parameters values were unaffected by the type of diet.Research highlights: These findings revealed that MDL could substitute, in ewes feeding, up to 87% to hay or up to 30% to concentrate without negative effects on body weight, carcass characteristics and meat quality.