The Growth and Survival of Bafra Lambs During Adaptation to Steppe Climate Conditions

Abstract

This study investigates the survival and growth characteristics of Bafra lambs born and reared under steppe climate conditions. The survival, growth and certain body measurements of 179 head of Bafra lambs were observed. Least Squares Method was applied for the analysis of growth and body measurements, and Chi square test was used for the analysis of survival rates. The survival rates of the lambs on days 30 and 90 were 96.65% and 90.50%, respectively. Birth type and sex had no significant effect on survival rates (P>0.05). The live weights of the lambs on days birth, 30, 60 and 90th were 3.58±0.541, 8.10±0.127, 12.71±0.223 and 18.08±0.326 kg, respectively. Among the environmental factors affecting the live weights of the lambs, the effect of sex was not significant (P>0.05), while the effect of birth type was highly significant (P=0.000) up until day 60, but decreased thereafter. Furthermore, the effect of birth type on live weight was not significant (P>0,05) in single lambs on day 60 and 90th, even though the live weights were numerically high. The pre-weaning (average 71 day) withers height, chest depth, body length, chest girth, cannon bone circumference and tail circumference of the lambs were 47.86±0.615, 18.52±0.246, 45.68±0.840; 56.47±0.881, 6.50±0.075, and 12.01±0.502 cm, respectively. The effect of birth type and sex on these body measurements were not significant (P>0.05). It was concluded that the growth and survival characteristics of Bafra lambs reared under the steppe conditions were at a satisfactory level.