Some Fertility Traits and Growing Characteristics of Kivircik Sheep Breed in the Extensive Farm Conditions

Abstract

In this study, fertility properties and growth traits of Kivircik sheep breed have investigated in Manisa province of Turkey. Fertility properties such as lambing rate, single birth rate, twins rate, litter size, vital rate and growth traits like birth weight, 30 days, 60 days, 120 days weights have calculated and distribution of growth traits according to sex and birth type has analyzed. In the first year of the trial; pregnancy rate, one birth rate, twin rate, litter size, survival rate has determined respectively 92.2%, 69.4%, 30.6%, 1.32 and 85.1%. In the same year, average birth weights of Kivircik male and female lambs are 4.08±0.74 kg and 3.93±0.69 kg, 30. day weights are 10.57±2.83 kg and 9.83±2.73 kg, 60. day weights are 21.32±10.36 kg and 19.66±5.46 kg, 120. day weights are 31.36±7.73 kg and 28.49±6.44 kg. In the second year of the trial; pregnancy rate, one birth rate, twin rate, litter size, survival rate has determined respectively 94.9%, 95.8%, 4.02%, 1.04 and 88.8%. In the same year, average birth weights of Kivircik male and female lambs are 4.22±0.91 kg and 4.00±0.73 kg, 30. day weights are 11.37±2.25 kg and 10.69±2.09 kg, 60. day weights are 22.75±4.49 kg and 21.37±4.18 kg, 120. day weights are 38.40±9.13 kg and 34.37±7.56 kg. At the end of the trial, fertility traits except twin birth rate and litter size has determined higher in II. year than I. year. This is likely due to higher live weight before mating and better herd management. Both two years, there were significant differences between growth traits (birth weight, 30 days weight, 60 days weight and 120 days weight) and sex or birth type.