Effect of environmental factors on gestation length in Konya Merino sheep

Abstract

Data on 477 lambings of Konya Merino sheep from 1992 to 1994 at the Central Animal Research Institute in Konya (Turkey) were analyzed. Gestation length averaged 152.7 ± 0.25 days, and was affected by year, dam age, birth type and the weight of the lamb. In contrast, the sex of the lamb did not significantly influence gestation length. For triple births gestation length (153.7 ± 0.73 days) was longer than for twin births (152.8 ± 0.16 days), and twins were carried longer than single lambs (151.6 ± 0.22 days). Heavier lambs had a longer gestation length. This study showed that the gestation length in Konya Merino sheep was affected by most of the factors investigated, except for sex of lamb.