Livestock Studies
2021, Vol 61, Num, 1 (Pages: 022-027)
Effects of Environmental Factors Growth Traits of Akkaraman Sheep in Çankırı Province
Sedat BEHREM 1
1 International Center for Livestock Research and Training, 06852, Lalahan, Ankara/TURKEY
DOI :
10.46897/livestockstudies.610104
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Small ruminants are important contributors of food supply chains throughout the
world. In this study, characterization of distributions of birth weight, weaning
weight, average daily gain and Kleiber ratio as well as estimation of effects of
certain environmental factors on these traits were aimed in Akkaraman sheep
raised around Çankırı province. For this purpose, the linear mixed model was fitted
to estimate the effect of factors and to obtain the least square means for the traits.
The effect of all studied fixed factors on birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW),
average daily weight gain (ADWG) and Kleiber ratio (KR) were found to be
significant. The male lambs have more BW and WW than female lambs. The least
square mean of ADWG for female lambs was found higher than male lambs.
Additionally, the least square mean of the pre-weaning growth traits of single-born
lambs were found to be higher than that of twin-born lambs. The birth weights of
lambs born in January and February were higher than March. In general, the study
reported that pre-weaning growth traits were affected by several environmental
factors, which can be used for herd management practices aiming for higher
productivity in Akkaraman sheep.
Keywords :
Pre-weaning growth traits Environmental factors Akkaraman Kleiber ratio