Livestock Studies 1967, Vol 7, Num, 4     (Pages: 137-147)

A study on progeny testing of Karakul rams at Çifteler Stud Farm

Halil ÖZCAN

- At Çifteler Stud Farm, 5 Karakul rams (16/8, 11/9, 6/1, 5/4, 63/5) evaluated on the basis of fur characters and birth weights of their progeny. According to the progeny testing, the (11/9) ram might have the best fur characters. Its progeny had the best curl and pelt quality. The (6/1) and the (5/4) rams might have similar fur characters. Their progeny generally had the same pelt types. While the (16/8) ram had poorer fur characters, but it generally had larger lambs. They had higher weights at birth.

It was shown that the curl and pelt quality of both parents affect the pelt quality of lambs. There fore it is recommended that in a short time, at least 10 best (class I) ram lambs should be selected and mated with many ewes. This is necessary for us to make progeny testing of young ram lambs. There must be some younger and better rams in order to discard the old (16/8, 11/9, 6/1) sires at Çifteler Stud Farm. Besides this the (5/4, 63/5) rams must be mated with more at least 100 ewes in order to be good tested and evaluated in next year. Keywords :