With available agricultural land decreasing and meat protein demand increasing, intensive livestock production systems may be the only solution to ensure that global demand can be met. However, the intensification of animal production needs careful consideration, as overly high stocking densities may decrease feed intake and weight gain and increase animals’ stress levels, potentially negatively affecting meat quality and shelf-life parameters. In the absence of clear guidelines for stocking densities in sheep feedlots, this study investigated the effects of three stocking densities on live weight gain, meat quality, shelf-life parameters, and proximate composition in two sheep breeds. Thirty Dorper and thirty Dohne Merino castrated ram lambs (30.93 ± 0.302 kg) were housed at stocking densities of 0.5 m2, 0.75 m2, or 1 m2 per sheep and were slaughtered at a live weight of 44.31 ± 0.404 kg after a feedlot period of six weeks. Live weight gain was calculated weekly, and the loin muscle (M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum), with bone intact, was removed from the left side of each carcass and used for meat quality determination. Dohne Merino sheep housed at the lowest stocking density had, on average, a lower live weight than Dohne Merino sheep housed at the medium stocking density. Differences in meat redness and chroma values were observed, with the lower stocking density groups having higher values, potentially indicating lower stress levels. Nonetheless, sheep can be maintained at stocking densities of up to 0.5 m2 per sheep without negatively affecting growth or meat quality.

(Submitted 31 March 2026; Accepted 13 October 2026; Published 12 November 2026)