Koruma Öncelikli Kaçeli Koyun Genotipinde Üreme Performansı, Doğum Ağırlığı ve Yaşam Gücü Özellikleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Batı Anadoluda genetik kaynak olarak korunan Kaçeli koyun genotipinde doğuran koyun başına doğan kuzu sayısı, doğum ağırlığı ve kuzu yaşama gücü performansını değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, 2024 ve 2025 üretim dönemlerinde üç işletmede bulunan 420 baş koyun ve bunlardan doğan 470 baş kuzuya ait kayıtlardan elde edilen veriler kullanılmıştır. Doğuran koyun başına doğan kuzu sayısı ve doğum ağırlığına ilişkin genel ortalamalar sırasıyla 1.15 ve 2.87 kg olarak elde edilmiştir. Doğuran koyun başına doğan kuzu sayısı üzerine yıl, işletme ve doğum ayı etkileri istatistiksel olarak önemsiz bulunurken, ana yaşının etkisi anlamlı olmuştur. En yüksek doğuran koyun başına doğan kuzu sayısı 4–5 yaşlı koyunlarda gözlenmiştir. Doğum ağırlığı işletme, ana yaşı, doğum tipi ve mevsim koşullarından önemli ölçüde etkilenmiş (p < 0.05), buna karşın bu özellike üzerine yıl ve cinsiyet etkileri sınırlı kalmıştır. Tek doğan kuzuların doğum ağırlığı ikizlerden %21.6 daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Pazarlama dönemine kadar genel yaşama gücü %89.36 olup, yıllar arasında anlamlı farklılık göstermiştir. Çoklu yüzey (faceted) violin analizleri, yüksek doğum ağırlığının yaşama olasılığını belirgin biçimde artırdığını, doğum tipinin ise bu ilişkiyi doğum ağırlığı üzerinden dolaylı olarak etkilediğini ortaya koymuştur. Elde edilen sonuçlar, Kaçeli koyun genotipinin genetik olarak istikrarlı ve çevresel streslere karşı dirençli bir yapıya sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Genotipin döl verimi, dengeli doğum ağırlıkları ve yüksek yaşama gücü, düşük girdi koşullarında bile sürdürülebilir üretim kapasitesine işaret etmektedir. Bu bulgular, Kaçeli gibi yerli genotiplerin yalnızca üretim değeriyle değil, aynı zamanda genetik çeşitliliğin korunması, ekolojik denge ve iklim değişikliğine karşı biyolojik dayanıklılığın sürdürülmesi açısından da stratejik önem taşıdığını vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Yerli ırk
• Türk koyun ırkları
• Sürdürülebilir yetiştirme
• Yerel genetik kaynaklar

Reproductive Performance, Birth Weight and Survival Characteristics in the Conservation-Priority Kaçeli Sheep Genotype

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the number of lambs born per ewe, birth weight, and lamb survival rate in the Kaçeli sheep genotype, which is conserved as a genetic resource in Western Anatolia. Data were collected from records of 420 ewes and 470 lambs born to them on three farms during the 2024 and 2025 production periods. The overall averages for litter size and birth weight were 1.15 and 2.87 kg, respectively. The effects of year, farm, and month of birth on litter size were found to be statistically insignificant, whereas the effect of ewe age was significant. The highest number of lambs born per ewe was observed in 4–5-year-old ewes. Birth weight was significantly influenced by farm, ewe age, type of birth, and seasonal conditions (p < 0.05), while the effects of year and sex on this trait were minimal. The birth weight of single lambs was 21.6% higher than that of twins. The overall survival rate up to the marketing period was 89.36%, with significant differences observed between years. Faceted violin analyses revealed that higher birth weight significantly increased the survival rate, while birth type indirectly influenced this relationship through birth weight. The results indicate that the Kaçeli sheep genotype is genetically stable and resilient to environmental stresses. The genotype’s fertility, balanced birth weights, and high survival rate demonstrate sustainable production capacity even under low-input conditions. These findings emphasize that native breeds such as Kaçeli sheep genotype are strategically important not only for their production value but also for preserving genetic diversity, maintaining ecological balance, and enhancing biological resilience against climate change.

Keywords

• Indigenous breed
• Turkish sheep breed
• Sustainable breeding
• Local genetic resources

References

1. Aksoy, Y., Şekeroğlu, A., Duman, M., Çoban, Ö.B., 2023. A study on the determination of some reproductive traits of ewes and the growth performance of lambs Akkaraman raised under farm conditions in the province of Niğde. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology. 11(6) : 1168-1175.
2. Aktas, A.H., Dursun, S., Dogan, S., Kiyma, Z., Demirci, U., Halici, I., 2015. Effects of ewe live weight and age on reproductive performance, lamb growth, and survival in Central Anatolian Merino sheep. Archives Animal Breeding. 58(2): 451-459.
3. Anwar, R., Abebe, R., Sheferaw, D., 2024. Epidemiological study of lamb and kid morbidity and mortality rates and associated risk factors in an extensive management system in the Dalocha district, Silte Zone, Central Ethiopia. Animal Diseases. 4(1): 46.
4. Arrebola, F.A., Abecia, J.A., Forcada, F., Garcia, A., Martín, R.A., Mesa, O., 2009. Effects of annual rainfall and farm on lamb production after treatment with melatonin implants in Merino sheep: A 4-year study. New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 57(3): 141-145.
5. As, A., Purwoagung, A.S., Susilorini, T.E., Septian, W.A., Nugraha, C.D., Putri, R.F., Ardiantoro, A., Suyadi, S., 2025. The effect of ewe age on birth weight and litter size of texel cross sheep mated with dorper and awassi rams. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. 13(8): 1672-1680.
6. Aslaminejad, A.A., Saghi, D.A., Dashab, G., Zabetyan, M., 2011. Evaluation of environmental effect on Baluchi lamb survival between birth day and weaning. Iranian Journal of Animal Science Research. 3(3): 292-216.
7. Assan, N., 2020. Aspects of litter size (birth type) in goats and sheep production. Scientific Journal of Zoology. 9(2): 138-151.
8. Ata, N., Gündüz, Z., Kaşıkçı, D., Canatan, T., Cemal, İ., Yılmaz, O., 2025. Tracing roots: A study on phylogenetic and genetic diversity in indigenous sheep breeds of southwestern Türkiye. Small Ruminant Research. 107521.

9. Aydin, K.B., Bi, Y., Brito, L.F., Ulutas, Z., Morota, G., 2024. Review of sheep breeding and genetic research in Türkiye. Frontiers in Genetics. 15: 1308113.
10. Besufkad, S., Abebe, A., Getachew, T., Goshme, S., Bisrat, A., Abebe, A., Zewdie, T., Alemayehu, L., Kebede, A., Gizaw, S., 2024. Survival analysis of genetic and non-genetic factors influencing lamb survival of different sheep breeds. Small Ruminant Research. 232: 107206
11. Boran, Ö., Torun, O., 2018. Çukurova Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi araştırma ve uygulama çiftliğinde yetiştirilen İvesi ve Çukurova et koyunlarının döl verimi ile kuzularının büyüme performansının araştırılması. Çukurova Üniversitesi Fen ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi. 36: 107-116.
12. Bratton, S.P., 1988. Minor breeds and major genetic losses. Conservation Biology. 297-299.
13. Bunter, K.L., Brown, D.J., Gurman, P.M., Li, L., Swan, A.A., 2023. The genetic and phenotypic associations between lamb survival outcomes and other traits recorded at lambing. Animal Production Science. 63(11): 1148-1159.
14. Dafur, B.S., Mbap, S.T., 2021. Analysis of factors affecting pre-weaning and post-weaning daily gains in Nigerian breeds of sheep. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production. 48(3): 154-161.
15. Demirel, A.F., 2024. Norduz kuzularının doğum ağırlığı üzerine bazı çevresel faktörlerin etkileri. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology. 12(5): 747-752.
16. El Amiri, B., Rahim, A., 2024. Exploring endogenous and exogenous factors for successful artificial ınsemination in sheep: A global overview. Veterinary Sciences. 11(2): 86.
17. Ertuğrul, M., Dellal, G., Soysal, İ., Elmacı, C., Akın, O., Arat, S., Barıtçı, İ., Pehlivan, E., Yılmaz, O., 2009. Türkiye yerli koyun irklarının korunması. Uludağ Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi. 23(2): 97-119.
18. Everett-Hincks, J.M., Mathias-Davis, H.C., Greer, G.J., Auvray, B.A., Dodds, K.G., 2014. Genetic parameters for lamb birth weight, survival and death risk traits. Journal of Animal Science. 92(7): 2885-2895.
19. Flinn, T., Kleemann, D.O., Swinbourne, A.M., Kelly, J.M., Weaver, A.C., Walker, S.K., Gatford, K.L., Kind, K.L., van Wettere, W.H., 2020. Neonatal lamb mortality: major risk factors and the potential ameliorative role of melatonin. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology. 11(1): 107.
20. Gabr, A.A., Farrag, F.H., Shalaby, N.A., Lahoul, M.A., 2025. Lambing season and birth type ınfluence on the relationship between ewe early growth and lifetime lamb production in Rahmani sheep. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology. 9(2): 112-122.
21. Gardner, D.S., Buttery, P.J., Daniel, Z., Symonds, M.E., 2007. Factors affecting birth weight in sheep: maternal environment. Reproduction. 133(1): 297-307.
22. Gaur, P., Malik, Z.S., Bangar, Y.C., Magotra, A., Chauhan, A., 2022. Survival analysis for estimating lamb survival up to weaning in Harnali sheep. Zygote. 30(6): 797-800.
23. Gicquel, E., Boettcher, P., Besbes, B., Furre, S., Fernández, J., Danchin-Burge, C., Berger, B., Baumung, R., Feijóo, J.R.J., Leroy, G., 2020. Impact of conservation measures on demography and genetic variability of livestock breeds. Animal. 14(4): 670-680.
24. Gootwine, E., 2020. Invited review: Opportunities for genetic improvement toward higher prolificacy in sheep. Small Ruminant Research. 186: 106090.
25. Haslin, E., Corner-Thomas, R.A., Kenyon, P.R., Pettigrew, E.J., Hickson, R.E., Morris, S.T., Blair, H.T., 2021. Effect of breeding heavier Romney ewe lambs at seven months of age on lamb production and efficiency over their first three breeding seasons. Animals-Basel. 11(12): 3486.
26. Hatcher, S., Atkins, K.D., Safari, E., 2009. Phenotypic aspects of lamb survival in Australian Merino sheep. Journal of Animal Science. 87(9): 2781-2790.
27. Heinzen, B.C., Weber, S.H., Maia, D., Sotomaior, C.S., 2023. Productive performance of lambs born in different seasons of the year. Open Veterinary Journal. 13(7): 932-941.
28. Hunter, J.D., Matplotlib development team, 2024. matplotlib Version 3.10.3 https://matplotlib.org/.
29. Karaca, O., Yilmaz O, Cemal, İ., Ata, N., 2021. Litter size in Karya sheep. II. International Livestock Studies Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 28-31 October 2021, p. 57.
30. Karaca, O., Yılmaz, O., Cemal, İ., Ata, N., 2019. Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimations for litter size of Eşme Kıvırcık ewes. 1st International Livestock Science Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 31 October - 01 November 2019, p. 126-133.
31. Kelman, K.R., Alston-Knox, C., Pethick, D.W., Gardner, G.E., 2022. Sire breed, litter size, and environment influence genetic potential for lamb growth when using sire breeding values. Animals-Basel. 12(4): 501.
32. Kenyon, P.R., Thompson, A.N., Morris, S.T., 2014. Breeding ewe lambs successfully to improve lifetime performance. Small Ruminant Research. 118(1-3): 2-15.
33. Koyuncu, M., Altınçekiç, Ş.Ö., Duru, S., Duymaz, Y., Karaca, M., 2018. Kuzuların gelişimi üzerine koyunların doğum dönemindeki vücut kondisyonu ve canlı ağırlığın etkisi. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi. 21(6): 916-925.
34. Kristensen, T.N., Hoffmann, A.A., Pertoldi, C., Stronen, A.V., 2015. What can livestock breeders learn from conservation genetics and vice versa? Frontiers in Genetics. 6: 38.
35. Kuru, B.B., Ölmez, V., 2024. The effect of birth type and gender on growth performance, live weight gain, growth pattern modeling, and survival rate in Anatolian Merino lambs. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Technique. 9(2): 122-132.
36. Liu, W.N., Lu, Q.W., Tang, S., Pu, X., Wang, Y.Q., Wu, C.L., Hu, X.R., Hong, W., Fu, X.F., 2024. Comparison of different animal models for estimating genetic parameters for early growth traits and reproductive traits in Tianmu Sainuo sheep. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 11: 1349790.
37. McCarthy, N., Weaver, A.C., Agenbag, B., Flinn, T., Brougham, B.J., Swinbourne, A.M., Kelly, J.M., Kleemann, D.O., Gatford, K.L., van Wettere, W.H.E.J., 2021. Maternal lysine, methionine and choline supplementation in twin-bearing Merino ewes during mid-to-late gestation does not alter pregnancy outcomes or progeny growth and survival. Livestock Science. 251: 104620.
38. McHugh, N., Pabiou, T., McDermott, K., Wall, E., Berry, D.P., 2017. Impact of birth and rearing type, as well as inaccuracy of recording, on pre-weaning lamb phenotypic and genetic merit for live weight. Translational Animal Science. 1(2): 137-145.
39. Morris, C.A., Hickey, S.M., Clarke, J.N., 2000. Genetic and environmental factors affecting lamb survival at birth and through to weaning. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 43(4): 515-524.
40. Nel, C.L., Swan, A.A., Dzama, K., Scholtz, A.J., Cloete, S.W.P., 2021. Genetic parameters and trends for lamb survival following long-term divergent selection for number of lambs weaned in the Elsenburg Merino flock. Animal Production Science. 61: 1965–1981
41. Oyieng, E., Ojango, J.M.K., Gauly, M., Mrode, R., Okeyo, A.M., König, S., 2025. Lamb survival and ewe longevity in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands. Small Ruminant Research. 107520.
42. Pettigrew, E., Hickson, R., Morris, S., Kenyon, P., Corner-Thomas, R., Haslin, E., Blair, H., 2021. The effect of age of dam and birth rank on the reproductive performance of ewes as one- and two-year-olds. Animals-Basel. 11(3): 770.
43. Python Software Foundation, 2021. Python (Version 3.10). In: Python Software Foundation (Ed.). https://www.python.org/, Wilmington, DE, USA
44. Ridler, A.L., Flay, K.J., Kenyon, P.R., Blair, H.T., Corner-Thomas, R.A., Pettigrew, E.J., 2022. Factors associated with mortality of lambs born to ewe hoggets. Animals-Basel. 12(3): 319.
45. Roca Fraga, F.J., Lagisz, M., Nakagawa, S., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Blair, H.T., Kenyon, P.R., 2018. Meta-analysis of lamb birth weight as influenced by pregnancy nutrition of multiparous ewes. Journal of Animal Science. 96(5): 1962-1977.
46. Sahin, Ö., 2022. Evaluation of some factors on birth and weaning weights in Awassi sheep by using GLM and CART analysis. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 54(6): 400.
47. SAS, 1999. The SAS System. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA, Version 8 Copyright © 1999.
48. Savaş, İ., Yılmaz, İ., Yanar, M., 2020. Yarı göçerlik sisteminde yetiştirilen Morkaraman koyunlarda bazı döl verim özellikleri. Uluslararası Tarım ve Yaban Hayatı Bilimleri Dergisi. 6(1): 100-107.
49. Shariati, M.M., Zerehdaran, S., Pourbayramian, F., Hasanvand, S., Mohammadi, K., 2018. Genetic evaluation of survival and productivity traits in Arman crossbred sheep. Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias. 31(2): 83-92.
50. Sharif, N., Ali, A., Dawood, M., Khan, M.I.U.R., Do, D.N., 2022. Environmental effects and genetic parameters for growth traits of Lohi sheep. Animals-Basel. 12(24): 3590.
51. Soysal, İ.M., Ünal, E.Ö., Gürcan, E.K., 2020. Çiftlik hayvan genetik kaynaklarının koruma ve sürdürülebilir kullanımı. Hayvan Bilimi ve Ürünleri Dergisi. 3(2): 210-227.
52. Taberlet, P., Coissac, E., Pansu, J., Pompanon, F., 2011. Conservation genetics of cattle, sheep, and goats. Comptes Rendus Biologies. 334(3): 247-254..
53. Taberlet, P., Valentini, A., Rezaei, H.R., Naderi, S., Pompanon, F., Negrini, R., Ajmone-Marsan, P., 2008. Are cattle, sheep, and goats endangered species? Molecular Ecology. 17(1): 275-284.
54. TAGEM, 2015. Türkiye Hayvan Genetik Kaynakları Ulusal Strateji ve Eylem Planı (2015-2020). https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/tur175653.pdf (Accessed 8 September 2025).
55. Tüfekci, H., 2023. Yetiştirici koşullarında Akkaraman ırkı koyunlarda döl verimi ile kuzularda büyüme ve yaşama gücü özelliklerinin belirlenmesi. Akademik Ziraat Dergisi. 12(1): 139-144.
56. Vlahek, I., Kabalin, A.E., Mencik, S., Maljkovic, M.M., Piplica, A., Kabalin, H., Savoric, J., Susic, V., 2021. The effect of non-genetic factors on the birth weight of Romanov sheep. Veterinarski Arhiv. 91(6): 615-624.
57. Vlahek, I., Susic, V., Kabalin, A.E., Mencik, S., Maljkovic, M.M., Piplica, A., Savoric, J., Faraguna, S., 2023. Prediction of reproductive performance of ewes based on the early productiondata, ewe birth rank, dam age, and dam birth rank. Archives Animal Breeding. 66(1): 145-151.
58. Wallace, J.M., Shepherd, P.O., Milne, J.S., Aitken, R.P., 2021. Perinatal complications and maximising lamb survival in an adolescent paradigm characterised by premature delivery and low birthweight. Plos one. 16(11): e0259890.
59. Washaya, S., Ngorio, U., Mudzengi, C.P., 2023. Effects of the breeding season, birth type and sex on growth and reproductive performances of sheep breeds. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 55(3): 188.
60. Waskom, M.L., 2024. seaborn Version 0.13.2. https://seaborn.pydata.org/.
61. Wilson, C.S., Cherry, N.L., Taylor, J.B., 2025. Lamb survivability: a new approach to an old problem. Frontiers in Animal Science. 6: 1497380.
62. Yağcı, S., Baş, S., Tatlıyer, A., 2018. Şavak Akkaraman kuzuların yetiştirici koşullarında büyüme ve yaşama gücü özellikleri. Lalahan Hayvancılık Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi. 58(2): 81-88.
63. Yakan, A., Ünal, N., Dalcı, M.T., 2012. Ankara şartlarında Akkaraman, İvesi ve Kıvırcık ırklarinda döl verimi, büyüme ve yaşama gücü. Lalahan Hayvancılık Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi. 52(1): 1-10.
64. Yildirir, M., Koncagül, S., Öner, Y., Akin, A.O., 2023. Analysis for prioritizing risk status and sustainable utilization of cattle, sheep, and goat breeds in Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. 47(1): 1-9.
65. Yilmaz, O., Cengiz, F., Ertugrul, M., Wilson, R.T., 2013. The domestic livestock resources of Turkey: sheep breeds and cross-breeds and their conservation status. Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales. 52: 147-163.
66. Zeder, M.A., 2008. Domestication and early agriculture in the Mediterranean Basin: Origins, diffusion, and impact. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 105(33): 11597-11604.
67. Zeder, M.A., 2012. Pathways to animal domestication. Biodiversity in Agriculture: Domestication, Evolution, and Sustainability. 10: 227-259