Evalution of Some Reproductive Performance of Ewes, Survivalability and Growth Traits of Lambs of Akkaraman Bred by Farmers in Niğde Region*

Abstract

The research was carried out between 2018 and 2022 in order to evaluate the reproductive characteristics of sheep, the survivability of lambs (SR120) and growth characteristics within the scope of Sheep Breeding project in Public Hands in Niğde province. In the research, some reproductive characteristics of approximately 6000 sheep per year and the growth performance and survival characteristics of a total of  30051 lambs were examined. In the study, birth (LBW), 60th day (LW60), 120th day weight (LW120) and 120th day live weight gain (LWG120) in Akkaraman lambs were 4.14±0.20 kg, 18.58±0.03 kg, 31.31±0.02 kg and 246 ±2.23 g/lamb/day, respectively. In the study, the effects of gender on LWG120 and birth type on LW120 were found to be insignificant among the factors which effects on growth characteristics were examined for Akkaraman lambs. In the study, the litter size between 2018 and 2022 in Akkaraman ewes varied between 1.03 and 1.10. In the study, the highest SR120 was detected in 2018 (96.61%), 5-year-old mothers (95.53%), female lambs (92.96%) and singleton (92.04%) lambs. In the study, it was determined that SR120 was dependent on the birth year (X² = 982.3; P<0.001), maternal age (X² = 322.2; P<0.001), gender (X² = 48.4; P<0.001) and birth type (X² = 7.2; P<0.01) in Akkaraman lambs.