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The production characteristics of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds in Turkey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

A. Yilmaz
Affiliation:
Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, 34320, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
M. Ozcan
Affiliation:
Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, 34320, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
B. Ekiz
Affiliation:
Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, 34320, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
A. Ceyhan
Affiliation:
Marmara Animal Breeding Research Institute, 10230, Bandirma, Balikesir, Turkey
A. Altine
Affiliation:
Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, 34320, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
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Summary

This study was carried out to investigate the fertility, milk production and body weight of ewes and the survival and growth characteristics of lambs of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds. The Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds are included among the genetic resources in the project for the conservation of the indigenous breeds in Turkey.

Conception rates for Imroz and Kivircik ewes were 57.6% and 81.7% respectively, litter sizes were 1.2 and 1.2 respectively, milk yields were 89 kg and 62 kg respectively and average live weights (2–7 years of age) were 43 kg and 55 kg, respectively. Imroz and Kivircik lambs had survival rates at weaning (90th day) of 98% and 96%, birth weights of 3.3 kg and 4.1 kg and weaning weights of 19.8 kg and 28.0 kg, respectively.

The results showed that the Kivircik sheep were heavier and the lambs had a better growth rate until weaning than the Imroz breed. However, the milk production of the Imroz ewes was higher than that of Kivircik. The lambs of both breeds had a satisfactory survival and growth rates until weaning and these results might be regarded as a desired adaptation of the Imroz and Kivircik lambs to the environmental conditions of the Marmara Region.

Resumen

Este estudio se llevó a cabo para averiguar la fertilidad, producción lechera y peso corporal de las ovejas y las características de supervivencia y crecimiento de los corderos de las razas indígenas Imroz y Kivircik. Las razas Imroz y Kivircik están incluidas entre los recursos genéticos del proyecto para la conservación de las razas indígenas en Turquía.

La tasa de ovejas grávidas en las razas Imroz y Kivircik fue de 57,6% y 81,7%, respectivamente. Los tamaños de camada fueron de 1,2 en ambas razas, el rendimiento leche de 89 y 62 kg, respectivamente. El peso medio vivo (2–7 años de edad) fue de 43 y 55 kg. Los corderos Imroz y Kivircik presentaron una tasa de supervivencia a 90 días del 98% alcanzando un peso de 19,8 y 28,0 kg, respectivamente, mientras el peso al nacimiento fue de 3,3 y 4,1 kg.

Los resultados muestran que la oveja Kivircik es más pesada y que los corderos de esta raza tienen un mejor crecimiento respecto a la raza Imroz. Sin embargo, la producción de leche de las ovejas Imroz fue mayor. Los corderos de ambas razas presentaron una tasa de supervivencia satisfactoria y unos índices de crecimiento elevados. Estos resultados deben ser interpretados como una adaptación de los corderos de estas razas a las condiciones ambientales de la región de Marmara.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2004

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