The production performances of single and twin born Turkish Merinos sheep

Wool production for 1973, 1974 and 1975 was found respectively; in twin born Karacabey Merino sheep; 3.356, 3.143 and 3.784 kg in single born Karacabey Merino sheep 3.578, 3.359 and 3.866 kg in twin born Konya Merino sheep; 3.601, 3.206 and 3.615 kg in single born Konya Merino sheep; 3.798, 3.568 and 3.868 kg There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) between the wool production of single and twin born Merino sheep.

Certain wool characteristics were studied in single and twin born Merino sheep. They are shown in tables 4 and 6. The values found for fibre length, fibre fineness, elasticity, fibre strength and randıman for both type were not statistically significant (P>0.05).

For single and twin born Merino sheep lambs average body weigth gains were calculated according to the sex and birth type at the birth, at 45 th, 75 th. and 105 th. (weaning age) day. The results found are shown in table 8. İn lambs the differences among birth weights read at the 45 th, 75 th and 105 th days for single male and for single female and for twin male lambs were not statistically signiicant (P>0.05), in twin female lambs, it was found statistically significant (P<0.05) in the favour of single born sheep lambs.

According to these findings, the merino breedens should change their ideas about non-profitableness of twinning. Our Merino breeders should increase the twinning rate in their flocks and if they aply better feeding and care they would get better wool and meat production from their sheep. Keywords :