A Study on The Decrease Lambing Interval of Karacabey Merino Sheep Under Semi-Intensive Conditions

Authors: E. SEVAL BATMAZ, HASAN BAŞPINAR

Abstract: In this study, it is aimed to decrease lambing interval of Karacabey Merino sheep. For this reason,in June and March, sheep were mated in the interval of 8 month. Fertility traits such as oestrus, pregnancy, parturition, lambing rate and that of twinning and litter size were 99.35, 90.25, 88.96, 1327.01, 52.55 % and 1.54 respectively in June. The values of same fertility traits were 95.17, 82.75, 78.62, 105.51, 34.21 % and 1.34 respectively in March. The body weight before mating for the sheep was found 68.03 kg in June and 61.68 kg in March. The lambing interval for the sheep was observed 9.2±1.11. Survival rate of lambs borned from mating in June on the 60th day was 91.90% and that of lambs borned from mating in March was 92.15%. Birth weight and weaning weight on the 60th day males were 4.32 kg. and 19.42 kg. and this weights in females were 4.07 kg. and 17.69. in same order, the values obtained in lambs borned from mating in March were 4.58 kg. and 19.90 kg. 4.31 kg. and 18.74 kg., respectively. The factors studied, birth type and effects of sex were significant in view of birth and onthe 60th day weight (P<0.01), however age of dam and the birth season effects were insignificant. This research has indicated that lambing programs in Karacabey Merino sheep can be implemented three times within two years.

Keywords: Karacabey Merino Sheep, Lambing Interval

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