Livestock Studies 1970, Vol 10, Num, 1-2     (Pages: 031-040)

The relationships between greasy fleece weight and age, birthtype, live weight and number of lambs suckling in Kıvırcık ewes

Halil ÖZCAN

- Greasy fleece weights of 522 Kıvırcık ewes, obtained in 1970 at İnanlı State Farm, were analized of study the effects of age, birthtype, live weight and number of lambs suckling on greasy fleece weight. All of these factors were found to influence fleece weight significantly. Greasy fleece weight increased with age to 3.5 yrs. and began to decrease at 4.5. Birthtype had also a significant effect on greasy fleece weight. The average fleece weight of twin ewes was 96 gr less than those of singles. Number of lambs suckling had a significant effect on the trait. Ewes having twin lambs produced significantly less wool than those with singles.

There was no difference in wool production between ewes with singles and ewes without lambs. Greasy fleece weight was significantly influenced by live weight of ewe. The correlations between greasy fleece weight and live weight and age were 0.273 and 0.132 respectively.

It is concluded that the corrections should be made for the above mentioned characteristics in dealing with greasy fleece weight in Kıvırcık breed of sheep. Keywords :