Live weights at birth and various periods in Karakaş sheep

With this study, it was aimed to determine the growth and development level of Karakaş sheep, to determine the factors affecting this level and to make inferences at the point of yield by comparing with the levels reported in other studies, to reveal the right strategies at the point of breeding the breed, which is one of our local gene resources, and to determine the measures that can be taken in terms of the development of upland breeding. The data obtained within the scope of the "Public Breeding of Karakaş Sheep Sub-Project" carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Diyarbakır province constitute the source of our study. Three weighings were taken from the registered lambs including birth. 30th day, 60th day, 90th day and 120th day live weights were determined by interpolation method. SPSS 26 program was used for live weight and GCAA averages and other statistics. The average birth, 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th day live weights and daily live weight gain averages between birth-30th day, birth-60th day, birth-90th day and birth-120th day in Karakaş ewes were generally consistent with the literature. The effect of birth months on live weights was found to be statistically significant except 90th day live weight. The effect of maternal age on 30th, 90th and 120th day live weights was found significant. The effect of year factor on all period body weights and daily body weight gains was statistically insignificant, while the effect of sex was found to be significant. It was determined that birth type had a significant effect on GCAA averages and live weight averages except GCAA between birth-120th day. It is necessary to protect Karakaş sheep, to increase their current productivity and to use the advantages of highland animal husbandry. For this purpose, issues such as the supply of quality breeding rams, preventing the slaughter of lambs in elite flocks, ensuring that the lambs with the best yield are used in breeding studies and improving the highland conditions should be emphasized.