Determination of some milk yield, reproduction, survival, growth and morphological traits of kivircik sheep in Yalova

In this study, the aim was characterization of some morphologic, milk and reproductive traits in Kıvırcık breed, and survival and growth rates in lambs. A total of 83 ewes with 1-3 years old and 100 lambs born from these ewes were used as material. The least square means for birth weight at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180th day live weight were calculated as 4.49±0.09, 8.69±0.17, 13.94±0.25, 21.50±0.34, 28.58±0.44, 33.68±0.50 ve 37.60±0.49 kg, respectively. The average daily gain of lambs the least square means were found for birth-90th, birth-150th, birth-180th, 90th-180 and 150-180th; 204.72±0.01, 202.71±0.04, 188.26±0.03, 171.04±0.04 and 116.01±0.07 g, respectively. Some body measurements at 30., 60., 90., 120., 150. and 180th days for Kıvırcık lambs were investigated. The least square means for withers height, body length, rump height, chest depth, chest width, chest girth, rump width, head lenth, forehead width and ear length at 30. day were found as 44.25±0.29, 41.71±0.32, 43.94±0.30, 14.59±0.14, 10.91±0.16, 48.61±0.42, 11.15±0.18, 15.12±0.12, 14.59±0.14 ve 10.10±0.12 respectively. Weaning 150 th day same body traits were determined as; 62.06±0.33, 62.60±0.32, 62.35±0.32, 25.27±0.20, 18.27±0.17, 78.81±0.54, 18.63±0.17, 21.95±0.12, 11.92±0.09 and 12.80±0.10 cm, respectively. The least square means for lactation lenght in Kıvırcık sheep breed was calculated as 180.26±4.06 day while lactation milk yield was found as 98.92±3.85 kg. The least square means for milk fat, protein, lactose, dry matter, and solid non fat contents were found as 5.66±0.28, 6.83±0.25, 3.12±0.11, 16.05±0.41, and 10.39±0.27%, respectively. Means for reproductive traits as gestation, sterility, lambing and twining rates in Kıvırcık sheep were found as 92, 8, 92, and 19.27%, respectively. On the other hand fecundity, litter size, gestation productivity, and survival rate at 150th day (weaning) were observed as 1.11, 1.21, 499.07 kg and 96%, respectively. Keywords: Growth, Reproduction, Kıvırcık, Lamb, Morphological traits, Milk yield, Yalova.