Some Production Traits of White Karaman Ewes and Lambs Reared in the Farm Conditions in Elazig Province

Abstract

This research has been carried out to determine growth, survival ability, some milk production traits and body measurements of White Karaman ewes and their lambs raised in the 1322 meter altitude in Elazig province. The material of the study was consisted of 274 White Karaman ewes (4 years old) and their lambs in the project ofConservational and Animal breeding Project of Small Ruminant Genetic Resources in Farm Conditionwhich is carried out in the Elazig by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (GDAR). The means for Akkaraman lambs were 3.74±0.78 kg for birth weight 17.27±1.24 kg for 60 day weight and 30.76±2.14 kg for 120 day weight. The twining and triplet birth rate has been determined 10.42 % and 1.15 % respectively. The fertility results were determined to be 1.12 for litter size. The survival rates of lambs at 60 and 120 days were 91.78% and 90.06%, respectively. The means of height at withers was 61.16±3.9857.10±1.99, body length was 50.94±5.62 49.75±4.51 and chest girth was 76.19±5.81 73.75±2.67 in male and female lambs at the age of 6 months, respectively. The means for lactation period and lactation milk yield were determined to be 145 day; and 94.25 ± 0.74 liter, respectively. Milk fat, milk protein, milk lactose and pH were determined 4.75±1.28, 4.04±0.20, 6.12±0.20 and 6.69±0.16, respectively. As a result, the yields of our autochthonous sheep breeds, which are reared in the farm conditions, can be increased with the improvement of management and nutrition conditions.