Evaluation of the sheep farms for biosecurity and animal welfare in Yozgat province

In this study, it was aimed to examine and evaluate the sheep production enterprises in Yozgat province in terms of production characteristics, general characteristics, biosecurity practices, and animal welfare. The material of the study consisted of a questionnaire, observation, and measurement data obtained from 180 sheep breeding enterprises in Yozgat province. In the study, the general characteristics of the enterprises, flock management practices, shelter characteristics, feeding practices, health protection practices, biosecurity practices, and welfare assessment were determined. As a result, sheep breeding in Yozgat province is mostly carried out by traditional methods and small family enterprises. It was observed that the enterprises have deficiencies in terms of compliance with biosecurity parameters of flock management practices, shelter conditions, feding, and health protection practices. In terms of welfare, according to the protocol developed from the ANI 35 L system, it was determined that the sheep farms in Yozgat province are mainly in the medium score categories in terms of protection from heat, protection from cold, suitable light and ventilation, and number of drinkers among the parameters of shelter conditions; medium in terms of parameters other than milking parlors in terms of structure and equipment status parameters; and high in terms of animal health parameters.