The aim of this study was to uncover certain physical properties of cashmere fibres obtained from goat hair in Van, Turkey, and determine their usability in the textile sector. For this purpose 36 hair goats were studied, aged between two and three years old, obtained from breeders at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Livestock Facilities and the Özalp and Başkale districts of Van, with twelve goats being taken from each breeder. The sample of hairs were collected by combing three areas of the goat's body (shoulder, flank and rump). The analysis indicated that the cashmere length of two-year-old hair goats was longer than that of three-year-old hair goats. There was no linear relationship between the differences among cashmere elasticity and yield properties and the altitude levels of the districts. It was determined that the fibre diameter of the cashmere of hair goats in Van was acceptable for the textile sector and competitive with major cashmere-producing countries.

This study aimed to determine the densities of fiber follicles in the skin of the Karakaş, Norduz, and Zom sheep breeds and to carry out a comparative analysis between them. The study included a total of 36 animals aged 1-2 years and 3-4 years. Skin samples were obtained through biopsies taken from the right sides of the animals to determine the densities and ratios of the fleece follicles. Examination of these samples revealed that the primary follicle densities of the three sheep breeds (Karakaş, Norduz and Zom) were 3.11 ± 0.42, 3.14 ± 0.49 and 3.34 ± 0.59, while the secondary follicle densities were 8.42 ± 1.48, 8.51 ± 1.54 and 6.36 ± 1.44. The secondary to primary (S/P) follicle ratios of the sheep were 2.71 ± 0.70, 2.79 ± 0.69 and 1.85 ± 0.36, respectively. The primary follicle densities of the Karakaş, Norduz and Zom sheep were statistically similar for both age groups. The density of secondary follicles and S/P ratio decreased with age in both age groups. The similarity of the S/P ratios to those from other local sheep breeds suggest that Karakaş, Norduz, Zom sheep can be included in the sheep group that has coarse fleece.

Öz: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Ile de France X Akkaraman ve Ile de France X Anadolu Merinosu melezlerinde bazı yapağı karakterlerini araştırmaktır. Çalışmanın hayvan materyalini, 50'şer baş Akkaraman ile Anadolu Merinosu ve 61 baş Ile de France X Akkaraman melezi ve 75 baş Ile de France X Anadolu Merinosu melezi oluşturmuştur. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre; Akkaraman, Anadolu Merinosu, Ile de France X Akkaraman (G1) ve Ile de France X Anadolu Merinosu (G1) koyunlarında sırasıyla; yapağı verimi (kg) 2.36, 3.57, 3.14 ve 3.15; incelik (µ) 30.99, 25.16, 28.81 ve 25.47; lüle uzunluğu (cm) 9.50, 6.85, 8.17 ve 7.55; gerçek uzunluk (cm), 19.34, 13.12, 16.34 ve 14.66; randıman ise (%) 69.72, 59.13, 63.84 ve 63.58 olarak saptanmıştır. Bu çalışmada melezlemenin; Akkaramanlarda yapağı verim artışı ve yapağı inceliğini, Anadolu Merinoslarında ise lüle uzunluğu ve gerçek uzunluk değerlerini arttırarak yapağı kalitesinde iyileştirmeler sağladığı gözlenmiştir.

The aim of this study was to compare the reproductive traits, lactation milk yield, and body measurements of the Damascus (Shami) and Kilis goats raised as dairy goats in the dry climatic conditions of the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The study was perfomed using 596 Damascus goats and 82 Kilis goats between 3-5 years old. It was observed that the lactation milk yield, lactation period, withers height, and leg circumference of the Damascus goats (175.86 kg, 227.48 days, 72.67 cm, and 74.10 cm, respectively) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the Kilis goats (107.48 kg, 170.39 days, 69.70 cm and 71.83 cm, respectively). This analysis indicated that the Damascus goat may be a good breed for dry climatic conditions. It is suggested that focusing on growing Damascus goats could increase productivity in the Southeastern Anatolian region of Turkey.

An investigation of the lead and cadmium levels of blood serum and wool of White Karaman sheep in the Van region (Turkey) -1381 -