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. © 2013 © 2013 Taylor & Francis.