Livestock Studies 2010, Vol 50, Num, 1     (Pages: 001-011)

Live Weight Estimation of Karayaka and Bafra (Chios x Karayaka B1) Sheep Using Some Body Measurements

İbrahim KILIÇ 1 ,Ceyhan ÖZBEYAZ 2

1 Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, Biyoistatistik Anabilim Dalı, AFYONKARAHİSAR
2 Ankara Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, ANKARA
- In this study, live weight estimation of Karayaka and Bafra (Chios x Karayaka B1) sheep was carried out using some body measurements. The multiple linear regression model was used for live weight estimation of the sheep. Karayaka and Bafra genotypes are raised in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The Bafra type was developed by crossing Sakız and Karayaka for a female line to use in lamb production. In this research, live weights and some body measurements of 223 Karayaka and 462 Bafra sheep in various ages breed in Gökhöyük Agricultural Enterprise that belongs to General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises were used. According to multiple linear regression related to live weight estimation obtained by using body measurements; while variables such as chest depth, chest width, body length, chest girth and ridge length had significant effects on live weight of Bafra sheep (P<0.05), variables such as head length, wither height and head width did not have significant effects on the live weight. On the other hand, while wither height, chest width, chest girth, head width, ridge length had significant effects variables on live weight of Karayaka sheep (P<0.05), head length, chest depth and body length did not have significant effects on the live weight. It was determined that chest girth measurements had the highest-level effective body characteristic on live weight of Karayaka and Bafra genotypes. Keywords : Multiple linear regression, sheep, live weight, body measurements