Karacabey Merinos Koyunların Kuzu Verimi Ve Kuzularda Büyüme Performansı Üzerine Bazı Çevre Faktörlerinin Etkisi

The aim of this study was to determine the litter size and growth performance of lambs in multiplier and base sheep flocks. This research was conducted between 2007 and 2009 on the Karacabey Merino sheep in multiplier flock of Balikesir provinces and three base flocks in Balikesir, Sindirgi and Bigadic breeding region a total of 10209 head of ewes and their lambs 11390 head lamb. The effects of years and flocks were found significant (P<0.01) for litter size. The average litter size for elite and three base flocks were 1.33, 1.17, 1.29 and 1.20 lambs, respectively. The effects of flock, birth years, sex and birth type were significant (P<0.01) birth weight 45th day live weight and 90th live weight. The least square means of the lamb birth weight, 45th day live weight and 90th day live weight of the multiplier flock and three base flocks were found as 3.51, 3.58, 3.70, and 3.95 kg; 15.05, 14.75, 15.71, and 16.53 kg; 28.03, 26.53, 26.31, and 27.65kg, respectively. The results of this study showed that litter size and lambs growth performance of the Karacabey Merino ewes were highly influenced by flock, birth type, sex of lambs and lamb birth year. Key(words:Sheep,lamb, flock, live weight, daily live weight gain