The wool properties and body weights of the indigenous Red Karaman and Karyaka sheep breeds of Turkey

Abstract

Sheep breeding has an important role in animal production in Turkey. The diversity of animal genetic resources of Turkey have not been fully appraised and some indigenous farm animal breeds are in danger of disappearing even before being scientifically defined. An equilibrium is needed between the genetic improvement studies and the conservation of the genetic resources Ozcan et al (1994). The greatest part of the wool produced by the indigenous sheep breeds in Turkey is of coarse and mixed type of wool and most of it is used in the hand woven authentic carpet production Kizilay (1986). This paper reports body weights and wool production characteristics of the indigenous Red Karaman and Karayaka sheep breeds.