Determination of environmental factors on live weight and body measurements of Pırlak lambs in Balıkesir province

In this study, it was aimed to determine the live weight and body measurements of Pırlak lambs raised in Balıkesir province conditions at various periods up to six months of age, and environmental factors affecting these parameters and to investigate the possibilities to benefit from the results. Birth, weaning and sixth months live weights, weaning and sixth months height at withers, body length, chest depth, chest width, rump width, rump length, chest circumference and shank circumference were measured from 104 lambs born from 81 dams and 7 sires reared in a sheep farm in Balıkesir province in 2020-2021 breeding season. The effects of birth season, birth type, gender and dam age on live weight and body measurements were statistically significant (P<0,05). Birth, weaning and sixth months live weights were 4,799±0,058; 30,326±0,469 and 50,383±0,422 kg; weaning and sixth months measurements for withers height as 53,6420,321 and 61,708±0,295 cm; 53,994±0,391 and 63,661±0,319 cm for body length; 22,851±0,261 and 29,175±0,165 cm for chest depth; 15,793±0,171 and 19,977±0,189 cm for chest width; 13,989±0,158 and 18,287±0,169 cm for rump width; 19,111±0,168 and 23,079±0,145 cm for rump length; 68,322±0,635 and 85,882±0,514 cm for chest circumference; 9,310±0,081 and 11,009±0,078 cm for shank circumferences were determined. All parameters were analyzed with the GLM option of the Minitab 18 statistics program. In this study, live weight and body measurements were examined and it was determined that some environmental factors have been statistically significant at different levels. It has been concluded that these environmental factors should be taken into account in a selection program to be applied in Pırlak sheep raired in Balıkesir conditions. Key words: Balıkesir, Live Weight, Sheep, Pırlak, Body Measurement.