Some fertility traits and growth characteristics of Kivircik sheep breed in the extensive farm conditions

Abstract

In this study, fertility traits and growth characteristics of the Kivircik sheep breed have been investigated for two years in the Manisa province of Turkey. Fertility properties such as lambing rate, single birth rate, twinning rate, litter size, survival rate, and growth traits like birth weight, 30th- day, 60th- day, 120th- day weights were 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, twinning rate, litter size, survival rate (at weaning) has determined respectively 92.20 %, 69.40 %, 30.60 %, 1.32, and 85.10 %. In the same year, the average birth weights of Kivircik male and female lambs are 4.08±0.74 kg and 3.93±0.69 kg, 30th- day weights are 10.57±2.83 kg and 9.83±2.73 kg, 60th- day weights are 21.32±10.36 kg and 19.66±5.46 kg, 120th- 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, twinning rate, litter size, survival rate (at weaning) has determined respectively 94.90 %, 95.80 %, 4.02 %, 1.04, and 88.80 %. In the same year, the average birth weights of Kivircik male and female lambs are 4.22±0.91 kg and 4.00±0.73 kg, 30th-day weights are 11.37±2.25 kg and 10.69±2.09 kg, 60th-day weights are 22.75±4.49 kg and 21.37±4.18 kg, 120th-day weights are 38.40±9.13 kg and 34.37±7.56 kg. At the end of the study, fertility traits except for litter size slightly increased in the second year. This is likely due to higher live weight before mating and better herd management. In both two years, there were significant differences between growth traits (birth weight, 30th-day weights, 60th- day weights, and 120th - day weights) and sex or birth type (P<0.001).