Comparative studies on the production performances of Chios and Imroz sheep kept under semi-intensive conditions. I. Fertility rate, survival rate and growth of lambs.

摘要

This study, was carried out to reveal the comparative production performances and effects of some environmental factors on the production characteristics of Chios and Imroz ewes kept in a single flock and semi-intensive conditions in Canakkale-Kumkale state farm. In this part of the study, the fertility rate, survival rate and growth of lambs are given. For the Chios ewes, pregnancy, parturition, single and multiple parturition rates, lamb rates and litter size on the basis of number of ewes assigned for mating were 97.71%, 97.46%, 23.76%, 60.83% and 15.41%, 188.55% and 1.93 respectively. These values for Imroz ewes were (except multiple parturition rates) 97.77%, 97.21%, 73.64% and 26.36%, 122.84% and 1.26 respectively. Survival rates of Chios and Imroz lambs at weaning were 96.09% and 98.07% respectively. Chios and Imroz lambs weighed 3.59 kg and 3.89 kg at birth, 18.41 kg and 18.71 kg at weaning (60 days of age), 29.01 kg and 24.17 kg at 120 days and 35.58 kg and 27.54 kg at 180 days respectively. Weights of Chios and Imroz ewes after shearing were 51.80 kg and 49.08 kg respectively and weights before mating were 55.65 kg and 50.49 kg respectively. The results of the study have shown that Chios ewes reared in a single flock with Imroz ewes under semi-intensive conditions have better production characteristics. In Kumkale State Farm, there was no problem about the rearing of Chios ewes in a flock. Also no decrease in the production characteristic levels was observed. Pregnancy rates of Imrozewes at the first year mating was 96.32%; this high rate shows the ability of Imroz ewes to mature quickly.