Investigating various performance traits of Karakul sheep

Abstract

Karakul sheep in Turkey is an endangered breed according to the total number of ewes. Two herds of Karakul sheep in Tokat Province, reared similar environmental conditions, kept in situ in vivo conservation as a gene resource. This study aimed to determine various performance traits of Karakul sheep reared in breeder conditions as a gene resource. Least squares means for lambing rate (LR), litter size (LS) and lamb production (LP) were found 95.8±0.60%, 1.04±0.01 and 100.0±0.80%, respectively. It was determined that farm and age had significant effect on LR and LP, while farm and year had significant impact on LS. Survival rate in lambs were found 95.2 and 94.1%, respectively on 90th and 180th days. Means of least squares for live weights of lambs at birth and on 90th and 180th days were identified as 3.35±0.02, 21.52±0.27 and 30.34±0.32 kg, respectively. Live weight after shearing and greasy fleece weight values were 40.73±0.12 and 2.04±0.01 kg for females and 62.65±0.53 and 3.48±0.06 kg for males. Lactation milk yield (LMY) was 104.85±3.73 kg in ewes and lactation duration was 159.01±1.70 days. LMY was affected by the lactation number and farm while lactation duration was affected by lactation number. Results revealed that various performance traits of Karakul sheep conserved in breeder conditions were similar to or better than those previously reported for this breed. Also, the breed is similar to medium size native sheep breeds in terms of growth and mature live weight. 

Keywords

• Genetic resource,Karakul sheep,production traits

References

1. 1. Akçapınar H (2000): Koyun yetiştiriciliği. ISBN: 975-96978-1-5, Ankara
2. 2. Aköz K (1961): Karagül koyunu ve Karagül yetiştiriciliği. Lalahan Zootekni ve Araştırma Enstitüsü, Ankara.
3. 3. Akçapınar H, Kadak R, Odabaşıoğlu F (1982): Morkaraman ve Kangal-Akkaraman koyunlarının döl verimi ve süt verimi üzerinde karşılaştırmalı araştırmalar. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, 3-4, 379-391.
4. 4. Akçapınar H, Özbeyaz C, Ünal N, et al (2000): The possibilities of developing dam and sire lines using Akkaraman, Sakız and Kıvırcık sheep breeds for lamb production I. Fertility in Akkaraman sheep, survival rate and growth characteristics of Sakız x Akkaraman F1 and Kıvırcık x Akkaraman F1 lambs. Turk J Vet Anim Sci, 24, 71-79.
5. 5. Akçapınar H, Ünal N, Atasoy F, et al (2002): Adaptation capability of Karayaka and Bafra (Chios x Karayaka B1) genotypes reared in Lalahan Livestock Research conditions. Lalahan Hay Araşt Enst Derg, 1, 11-24.
6. 6. Aköz K, Öznacar K (1960): A comparative study on the forms of curly, brightness of the curls and birth weigths of purebred Afgan Karakul lambs’ raised at Lalahan Animal Breeding Station and purebred Karakul lambs’ raised at Çifteler Hara. Lalahan Zoot Araş Enst Derg, 7, 65-78.
7. 7. Aköz K (1960): The relationship between finest of the Karakul ewes wool fibers and curle conformation of the new born Karakul lambs. Lalahan Zoot Araşt Enst Derg, 7, 21-27.
8. 8. Anonymous (2015): Animal genetic resources for food and agriculture, The second report on the state of the world’s. FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Assessments, Rome.

9. 9. Anonymous (2008): SPSS Software, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows. Statistical Innovations Inc (Version 14.01, No: 9869264), USA.
10. 10. Başpınar H (1985): A comparative study on the fertility, milk yield and fleece yield performances of main sheep breeds in Turkey, kept under semi-intensive conditions. İstanbul Üniv Vet Fak Derg, 2, 43-66.
11. 11. Batu S, Özcan H (1966): The most important morphological characters and yields of the Karakül sheep and the breeding system at Çifteler Stud Farm. Lalahan Zoot Araşt Enst Derg, 1-2, 135-139.
12. 12. Çolakoğlu N, Özbeyaz C (1999): Comparison of some production traits in Malya and Akkaraman Sheep. Turk J Vet Anim Sci, 23, 351-360.
13. 13. Erol H, Akçadağ Hİ (2009): Some production characteristics of Karagül sheep in situ conditions. Lalahan Hay Araşt Enst Derg, 46, 91-104.
14. 14. Kırmızıbayrak T, Aksoy AR, Saatci M, et al (2005): Milk yield and udder charecteristics in Tuj and Morkaraman ewes and the relationships between them. Kafkas Üniv Vet Fak Derg, 1, 11-15.
15. 15. Köseoğlu H (1978): Studies on the improvement of twinning rate with the use of hormones in Karakul sheep. Lalahan Zoot Araşt Enst Derg, 3-4, 64-67.
16. 16. Küçük M, Öztürk Y, Bayram D (2000): Comparison of milk yield characteristics on Hamdani, Karagül and Morkaraman breeds in semi-intensive conditions. Y.Y.Ü. Vet Fak Derg, 1, 44-48.
17. 17. Küçük M, Yılmaz O, Ateş CY (2000): The evaluation of Morkaraman, Hamdani and Karakul wool for carpet wool type. YYÜ Vet Fak Derg, 2, 54-59.
18. 18. Ünal N, Akçapınar H, Atasoy F, et al (2008): Some udder traits and growth of lambs and phenotypic correlations between those of traits with milking traits and milk production measured by various milk estimation methods in Bafra sheep. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, 55, 117-124.
19. 19. Ünal N, Akçapınar H, Atasoy H, et al (2004): The body weight and fleece traits of White Karaman, Chios x White Karaman F1, B1, Kıvırcık x White Karaman F1, B1, Karayaka and Bafra sheep. Lalahan Hay Araşt Enst Derg, 2, 15-22.
20. 20. Ünal N, Atasoy F, Akçapınar H, et al (2003): Fertility traits, survival rate and growth characteristics of Karayaka and Bafra (Chios x Karayaka B1) genotypes. Turk J Vet Anim Sci, 27, 265-272.
21. 21. Ünal N (2002): Survival rate, growth characteristics and some body measurements of Akkaraman and Sakiz (Chios) x Akkaraman F1 lambs. Turk J Vet Anim Sci, 26, 109-116.
22. 22. Yalçın BC (1986): Sheep and goats in Turkey. FAO Animal Production and Health Papaer, Number 60, Rome.
23. 23. Yılmaz O, Odabaşıoğlu F (2006): Hamdani, Morkaraman ve Karagül koyunlarında kuzulatma sıklığının artırılması olanakları. Y.Y.Ü. Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 1, 16-126.