Slaughter value and meat quality of berrichon du cher lambs in intensive housing system

Two-year study was carried out on 39 lambs (16 ewes and 23 rams) of berrichon du cher breed in Grotkowo flock belonging to the Agricultural-Breeding Farm Żydowo. Lambs came from single (n = 28) and twin (n = 11) births and were born in the period from January to the end of February each year. The lambs were fed ad libitum using TMR mix. The animals were slaughtered at a body weight of 40 kg. The slaughter and carcass value and meat (mld) quality were estimated. Ewes were characterised by better muscularity and better fat consistency but worse fat colour than rams (in EUROP classification). Slaughter value, measurements and primary cuts of the carcass, as well as chemical composition of meat (mld) in lambs from single and twin births were levelled, except one fatty acid C22:5n3 which value was higher in twins. The obtained results generally showed a high quality of carcasses and meat of berrichon du cher lambs and indicating the possibility of producing good quality lambs for the meat using TMR feeding system ad libitum