Carcass and non-carcass characteristics of sheep fed on annatto byproduct

Annatto byproduct is the residue from the extraction of powder dye that covers the seed pericarp; after processing, between 94% and 98% of the original product is considered a byproduct. The aim was to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of annatto byproduct on the components of sheep body weight. Thirty-two male sheep, not castrated, with initial weight of 23.17 ± 1.45 kg, without a defined breed, were used in randomized blocks in all four treatments (0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg?1 of annatto byproduct in the diet dry matter). The increase to 300 g kg?1 of annatto byproduct had a negative linear effect (P < 0.05) for hot carcass weight (kg) and cold carcass weight (kg). Increasing levels of annatto byproduct resulted in a linear reduction (P < 0.05) for palette weight (kg), leg weight (kg), carcass compactness index (kg cm?1), liver weight (kg) and skin weight (kg). The inclusion of annatto byproduct up to 200 g kg?1 of dry matter in sheep diets did not affect the components of sheep body weight.