Reproductive Traits, Survivability, Growth Performance and Several Body Size Characteristics in Romanov Sheep

Abstract

This research was performed to determine the reproductive traits of Romanov sheep and birth weight, survivability at weaning age (90 days), growth performance, and several body size characteristics of their lambs. The research was conducted on 78 Romanov sheep, 2 and 3 age, and their lamb. In the research, live weight and body measurements were determined up to weaning from birth interval 15 days. Data of 15., 30., 60. and 90. days for live weight and body measurements were calculated with the linear interpolation method. Single birth rate, multiple birth rate, and number of lambs per birth were 32.85%, 67.15% and 1.71 respectively. The mean of birth weight, survivability, and weaning weight for lambs were 3.12 kg, 85.83% and 11.42 kg respectively. Height at withers, cannon-bone circumference, chest depth and body length at weaning period (90 days) were 44.12 cm, 7.78 cm, 20.61 cm and 43.14 cm respectively. In conclusion, in this study, although the birth rate of the Romanov sheep was high, lambs' survivability was found to be weak. Although the birth weight of Romanov lambs was close to the birth weight of the breeds with the twinning rate in our country, it was determined that the live weight at weaning age was not at the desirable level. In addition, these research findings were found to be lower than the fertility and growth performance data obtained from Romanov sheep and lambs raised abroad. © 2021 Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved.