Determination of phenotypic and genetic correlations for body measurements in ramliç sheep raised under Emirdağ conditions

In this research, under the coordination of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), "National Small Ruminant Improvement Project under community based, "Ramlıç Sheep Improvement under community based" sub-project, it was aimed to determine the live weight and body measurements of Ramlıç sheep in the adult age in Emirdağ district of Afyonkarahisar province and to determine the phenotypic and genetic correlations between them. The measurements of live weight, wither height, rump height, body length, chest width, chest girth, rump width, and shank circumference of 77 head rams and 615 head ewes of Ramlıç breed in 3 different farms in Emirdağ district of Afyonkarahisar province were taken. As a result of the analysis of the obtained data set, the general average for live weight was 92,59±0,52; wither height was 78,49±0,18; rump height was 78,59±0,21; body length was 82,16±0,20; chest width was 16,07±0,09; chest girth was 117,59±0.23; rump width was 17;63±0,11 and shank circumference was 10,53±0,03. Farm and gender factors were found to be significant for all parameters, while age was significant for only live weight, chest width, and body length (P<0,05). Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations were analyzed using the REML method with the WOMBAT program. As a result of the calculations, the significant heritabilities determined were 0,32±0,10 for live weight, 0,23±0,10 for chest width and 0,24±0,12 for body length. Additionally, strong and statistically significant (P<0,05) genetic correlations were identified as 0,999±0,139 between live weight and chest width, 0,951±0,314 between live weight and body length, and 0,999±0,302 between chest width and body length. The results indicate that Ramlıç is a tall and well-structured sheep among Turkish sheep breeds, and the heritability and correlations identified can be effectively utilized in the improvement of the breed. Keywords: Emirdağ, Sheep, Ramlıç, Live weight, Body measurement, Heritability, Correlation