In this study, the aim was to determine the effect of birth type and gender on growth performance, live weight gain, growth modeling, and survival rate in Anatolian Merino lambs. Growth performance was determined in 28 singletons (14 females/14 males), 80 twins (38 females/42 males), and 54 triplets (22 females/32 males) lambs in the study. The body weight of the lambs was measured on the day of birth (day 0), and at 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 days of age. Birth type was effective on growth performance in Anatolian Merino lambs (P<0.001). The effect of gender on growth performance was significant at 30 days of age and beyond (P<0.05). Except for the period between 0-20 days, the effect of birth type was statistically significant for all other measurement days on daily live weight gain until the day of measurement (P<0.05). However, gender influenced daily live weight gain between 0-45 days and 0-60 days (P<0.05). Survival rate up to 60 days of age in Anatolian Merino lambs was not statistically different according to birth type and gender (P>0.05). The total survival rate was 95.3%. In growth modeling of Anatolian Merino lambs, the highest regression value was in singleton males (r2=0.910), and the lowest r2 value was in triplet males (r2=0.746). In conclusion, birth type may affect the growth performance and daily live weight gain of Anatolian Merino lambs. Moreover, the similar survival rate according to birth types indicates that this productive breed is both productive and has high survivability.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics |
Journal Section | Research Articles |
Authors | |
Early Pub Date | August 8, 2024 |
Publication Date | August 22, 2024 |
Submission Date | April 19, 2024 |
Acceptance Date | June 25, 2024 |
Published in Issue | Year 2024 |