Performances of Merino x Akkaraman croses in respect of ewe fertility, lamb survival and lamb growth under field conditions

Fertility traits for F1 and G1 ewes were found as follows; lambing percentage, 93.6 and 93.8 %, number of lambs per 100 ewes mated, 100.8 and 100.0 and number of lambs per 100 ewes lambed 107.6 and 106.6 respectively. Rates of survival to weaning (60 days) for lambs from F1 and G1 mothers were 90.4 and 88.9 % in the same order.

Effects of age of dam, sex and type of birth of lambs and generation of dam (Fı and Gı) on lamb weights at birth, 45, 60 and 75 days were studied using least squares technique. All effects except dam`s generation had significant effects on weights at different ages. Average ad justed weights for lambs from Fı and Gı mothers are given below; birth weight of singles 3.94 and 3.92 kg, of twins 3.24 and 3.22 kg, 45 day weight of lambs born and reared as singles 12.14 and 12.54 kg of lambs born and reared as twins 8.76 and 9.16 kg, and of lambs born as twins reared as singles 10.39 and 10.79 kg, the same values for 75 day weight, 20.57 and 21.21 kg, 16.78 and 17.42 kg, and 20.01 and 20.65 kg respectively.

The values from this studys were compared with those obtained from other studies on Merinos x Akkaraman crosses raised at state farms and on other sheep breeds. The results show that Merino x Akkaraman crosses perform well under the village conditions of central Anatolia and that Merino genotype can be increased at least up to 75 % without deterioration in fertility, lamb survival and growth rate. Keywords :