Livestock Studies 1969, Vol 9, Num, 3-4     (Pages: 001-014)

Performances of Awassi and Akkaraman Sheep Under Ereğli Konya Conditions

B. Cahit YALÇIN ,Gültekin AKTAŞ

- The aim of this study was to compare the performances of mature Awassi and Akkaraman ewes under the conditions of Ereğli Animal Breeding Research Station in Central Anatolia, and to obtain information on the adaptability of Awassi sheep in this new environment. Traits studied included fertility, lamb survival, milk production characteristics, mature body weight, greasy fleece weight and fleece characteristics, and some body measurements. For most of these traits records were available for 1966-67 and 1967-68. Number of records for different characteristics ranged from 41 to 106 for Awassi flock and from 48 to 223 for Akkaraman flock, considering each year separately. The two flocks were fed and managed similarly throughout the two year period.

In 1966-67 and 1967-68 rate of pregnancy, rate of parturition and lambing percentage based on ewes mated were 80-88 %, 69-87 % and 77-103 % for Awassi, and 90-90 %, 84-85 % and 110-108 % for Akkaraman, rate of lamb survival in the two breeds being 96-98 % and 92-98 %, respectively. In the two years averages for different performance traits were as follows: milk production whole lactation 125 and 134 kg for Awassi, 61 and 87 kg for Akkaraman; length of lactation period 185 and 212 days for Awassi, 114 and 144 days for Akkaraman; mature body weight 51.6 and 45.0 kg for Awassi, 58.0 and 53.0 kg for Akkaraman; and greasy fleece weight 2.9 and 2.1 kg. for Awassi, 1.8 and 1.4 kg. for Akkaraman. For the traits recorded in one year only average values for Awassi and Akkaraman were, 7.0 % and 6.5 % for butterfat percentage, 9.4 kg and 5.7 kg for butterfat production, 13.0 cm and 8.7 cm for staple length, 37.0 micron and 29.7 micron for fiber diameter, and 61.2 % and 68.8 % for clean wool yield.

The above results shows that the two breeds had similar fertility performance and lamb survival, ignoring the effect of the new environment, and that while Akkaraman is superior in mature body weight, body measurements, wool fiber diameter and clean wool yield, Awassi produces more milk, butterfat, longer and hevaer wool. Further, they indicate that adaptability of Awassi breed to the conditions of Ereğli Station in fertility, lamb survival and production, especially milk production, is good so that they can be raised in parts of Central Anatolia where feeding conditions are relatively adequate. The large difference between Awassi and Akkaraman in milk production can be exploited either by raising Awassi in suitable parts of Central Anatolia or by crossbreeding with Akkaraman sheep to increase the milk production of the latter. Keywords :