Research Article

Assessment of seasonal and environmental variability of key performance traits of Awassi sheep in semiarid conditions

Volume: 30 Number: 3 December 31, 2025
TR EN

Assessment of seasonal and environmental variability of key performance traits of Awassi sheep in semiarid conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of certain environmental factors on reproductive and milk traits in ewes, as well as growth performance in lambs, under semi-intensive management of Awassi sheep. The dataset comprised records from a total of 31.372 lambs born to Awassi ewes participating in the National Small Ruminant Breeding Program. Key parameters, including reproductive and milk yield traits in ewes and birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily gain (ADG), and Kleiber Ratio (KR) in lambs, were analysed concerning dam age, lamb sex, birth type, and birth month. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software package. At the end of the study, the mean values for BW, WW, ADG, and KR were found to be 4.29 ± 0.01 kg, 19.33 ± 0.01 kg, 250.73 ± 0.08 g, and 27.19 ± 0.01, respectively. The average 210-day milk yield and daily milk production in ewes were calculated as 219.15 ± 0.39 l and 1.22 ± 0.01 l, respectively. The findings demonstrate that environmental factors have significant impacts on reproductive performance and milk yield in Awassi sheep, as well as growth traits in lambs. A comprehensive evaluation of these environmental influences is essential for optimizing production efficiency, enhancing the effectiveness of selection programs, and playing a crucial role in sustainable productivity and resource utilization.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies

Project Number

27IVE2013-02

Ethical Statement

This article does not involve any research with human or animal subjects; therefore, ethical approval is not required. The author(s) declare that they have no known competing financial or non-financial, professional, or personal conflicts that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Thanks

We would like to thank TAGEM, Gaziantep Sheep and Goat Breeders’ Association, and the technical staff of project for their valuable contributions to the project.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Zootechny (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 3, 2025

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

June 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 30 Number: 3

APA
Gül, S., Keskin, M., Kaya, Ş., Yıldırım, H., Dikme, M., & Yilmaz Tilki, H. (2025). Assessment of seasonal and environmental variability of key performance traits of Awassi sheep in semiarid conditions. Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, 30(3), 783-797. https://doi.org/10.37908/mkutbd.1719171