The production performance and adaptation abilities of imported mutton sheep breeds under semi -intensive conditions
2 Koyunculuk Araştırma Enstitüsü, BANDIRMA - This study was made to determine and compare the main production performances of Hampshire, Dorset Down, Lincoln, Border Leicester and Blackheaded German sheep breeds imported to Bandırma State Sheep Breeding Research Institute.
The Blackheaded German sheep group was showed higher performance in characters of estrus, pregnancy and parturition rates to the other groups (P<0.05 –P<0.001).
The Lincoln group was highest in fleece weight averages compared with the other groups (P<0.05). The best fleece quality was observed in the rank of Hampshire, Blackheaded German and Dorset Down breeds. At the mating, there was no statistical differences between body weights of the groups.
The survival rates of lambs were highest in Dorset Down and Lowest in Border Leicester groups.
According to the results obtained from this study, Blackheaded German breed group was shown a good performance in Bandırma conditions even compared with its originated country breeds records. On the contrary, Border Leicester and Lincoln breeds were not shown an economical performances in prevailing Bandırma conditions. In the mean time, it is observed that if better feeding and management conditions were provided to Hampshire and Dorset Down breeds may also be raiset in this region.
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