Sinan Kopuzlu

Growth performance of purebred Awassi, Morkaraman and Tushin lambs and their crosses under semi-intensive management in Turkey

Growth performance of 168 Awassi (A), Morkaraman (M), Tushin (T) purebred lambs and their crosses AxM, MxT, AxM and TxM reared under semi-intensive management in Turkey were evaluated. The lambs grazed on pasture for 84 days and were provided with a concentrate diet (1.5-2.0% of their live weight). Birth weight and average daily weight gain during the pre-grazing period for M, A, T, MxT, AxM and TxM crossbred lambs were 2.91, 3.61, 3.70, 4.30, 2.63, and 3.79kg and 186, 129, 160, 160, 163, and 168g, respectively. Corresponding estimates were 20, 15, 15, 17, 20 and 19kg for initial fattening weight; 168, 169, 160, 176, 174 and 184g for average daily weight gain on fattening, and 34, 30, 28, 32, 35, and 34kg for final fattening weight, respectively. The amounts of concentrate consumed per kg weight gain in addition to grazing on pasture for purebred and crossbred lambs were 1.89, 1.86, and 1.97 and, 1.78, 1.82, and 1.71kg, respectively. The genotype of lamb and type of birth significantly affected the birth weight. Besides the genotype and the type of birth, age of dam and sex had a significant influence on the average daily weight gain during the pre-grazing period. Average daily weight gain during the fattening period was significantly affected by sex.

Estimation of growth curve characteristics of Hemsin male and female sheep

In the present study, we examined the suitability of seven asymptotic nonlinear models to describe body weight growth of Hemsin male and female sheep from birth to 36 months of age and, using the selected functions, to provide a biological interpretation for this growth. The weight–age data for this study were obtained from records of 108 Hemsin female and male sheep held in variety breeder flocks of Artvin province in Turkey. The sheep records were collected between 2008 and 2010 with measurements taken at birth, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th, and 36th months of age. Body weight–age data from Hemsin sheep were used to obtain a growth pattern for sheep, with the use of Negative exponential, Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Bertalanffy, Richards, and Janoschek nonlinear functions. Comparisons between these functions were based on coefficients of determination and residual squared error. The R2 values of the models ranged from 0.971 to 0.989 for males and from 0.951 to 0.991 for males. In both sexes, the Brody, Richards, and Janoschek models, with equal R2 as 0.99, were superior to the others. However, the Brody was precise on its parameters and easy to interpret than Richards and Janoschek functions.

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for growth characteristics of Morkaraman sheep

The aims of the study were to determine heritabilities of growth characteristics and growth characteristics of Morkaraman sheep raised by local breeders in Erzurum province between 2006 and 2010. Growth characteristics such as live weight and daily live weight gains of Morkaraman lambs in the various periods were examined for this purpose. The effects of some environmental factors such as herd type, sex, birth type and years on these characteristics were also examined. In the study, growth characteristics of lambs obtained from mating of 5339 ewes and 253 rams were measured based on performance tests and a selection practice was performed. Elite, multiplier flock and commercial herds were established. The heritabilities of traits in question were determined. The breeding value for daily live weight gains up to the end of grazing season in the fifth year was calculated. Birth weight, birth weight heritability, weights and weight heritability at the beginning of grazing season, weight and weight heritability at the end of grazing season, daily live weight gain up and daily live weight gain heritability to the beginning of grazing season, daily weight gain up and daily live weight gain heritability to the end of grazing season were found 3.5±0.01 kg, 0.26±0.149, 21.4±0.07 kg and 0.41±0.103, 37.4±0.09 kg and 0.43±0.138, 239±1.33 g and 0.48±0.083, 201±0.78 and 0.47±0.082, respectively. At the end of the research, to improve the growth characteristics of Morkaraman sheep and to increase live weight gain to be obtained from each lamb were targeted. As a result, the live weights at the end of grazing season of lambs, Morkaraman provided an increase of approximately 5 kg. In terms of examined growth characteristics of Morkaraman sheep measured by individual performance testing, it is determined that Morkaraman sheep can be breeded by local breeders to improve its growth traits.

Determination of Linear Regression Models for Estimation of Body Weights of Eastern Anatolian Red Cattle / Doğu Anadolu Kırmızısı Sığırlarında Vücut Ağırlıklarının Tahmini İçin Doğrusal Regresyon Modellerinin Belirlenmesi

ABSTRACT: The study was conducted to develop linear regression models for prediction of body weights of Eastern Anatolian Red cattle from various body measurements taken at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 months of ages and at mature cows that were older than 24 months of age. Among the body measurements, hearth girth resulted in highly significant (P<0.01) and the highest correlation coefficients with body weights. It was concluded that the models including heart girth alone could be used to predict precisely body weights of Eastern Anatolian Red cattle. Additionally, body weights at different ages were also predicted by using the linear regression models and results were tabulated and presented in the tables for practical purpose. Key words: Body Measurements, Body weights, Eastern Anatolian Red, Cattle. Dogu Anadolu Kirmizisi Sigirlarinda Vucut Agirliklarinin Tahmini Icin Dogrusal Regresyon Modellerinin Belirlenmesi OZET: Bu calisma, Dogu Anadolu Kirmizisi irki 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 aylik hayvanlarindan ve ergin ineklerden alinan cesitli vucut olculerinden bu hayvanlarin canli agirliklarini tahminleyen dogrusal regresyon modellerini belirlemek icin yurutulmustur. Vucut olculeri arasinda, gogus cevresinin vucut agirliklari ile cok onemli (P<0.01) ve yuksek duzeyde bir iliskiye neden oldugu belirlenmistir. Tek basina gogus cevresinin dahil edildigi modellerin Dogu Anadolu Kirmizisi sigirlarda vucut agirliklarinin dogru bir sekilde tahmin edilmesinde kullanilabilecegi sonucuna varilmistir. Ayrica, degisik yaslardaki canli agirliklar, belirlenen dogrusal regresyon modelleri kullanilarak tahminlenmis ve sonuclar pratikte kullanim amaciyla tablolar halinde sunulmustur. Anahtar Kelimeler : Vucut Olculeri, Vucut Agirliklari, Dogu Anadolu Kirmizisi, Sigir.