Effects of different lambing season on some reproductive characteristics of ewes and growth performance of lambs in Awassi sheep

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the performance of Awassi sheep and their lambs in different season within the scope of the national breeding project carried out in Gaziantep. For this purpose, a total of 23490 heads of ewes and its lambs reared in different herds and under natural conditions were used in Gaziantep. The study covers the period between 2014 and 2017. The preliminary descriptive statistics showed that 35.24% and 25.47% of the ewes gave birth in January and December, respectively. Furthermore, the lamb survival rate at the weaning age was calculated to be 97.54% in February and 97.52% in December. The highest and the lowest birth weights were detected as 4.2 ± 0.01 kg and 2.7 ± 0.09 kg in January and May, respectively (P<0.01). On the other hand, the highest and lowest mean values for weaning weight (60 th day live weight) were determined as 21.1 ± 0.11 kg and 15.4 ± 0.45 kg in lambs respectively born in October and May (P<0.01). As a result, it can be stated that the most appropriate mating period for Awassi sheep reared in Gaziantep province is between August and September considering the reproductive characteristics and lamb growing.Gül S at al. Effects of different lambing season on some reproductive characteristics of ewes

Effects of Environmental Factors Growth Traits of Akkaraman Sheep in Çankırı Province

“…Moreover, the difference between the groups was found to be significant in the multiple comparison test between these months. In a study conducted by Gül et al, (2020), similar results were obtained in the average birth weight of Awassi lambs in January, February and March. The seasonal pattern revealed that the birth weight of lambs born in January and February was relatively higher than that of lambs born in March.…”

“…Additionally, in the studies reported in Akkaraman lambs, the WW of the single-born lambs were found higher than the twin-born lambs as in the study. The WW of lambs born in February and March in the study were higher than those born in the January, but in the study conducted by Gül et al, (2020) in Awassi lambs the WW of the lambs born in March were lower than those born in February and January. This situation is thought to be due to the difference in breed and the seasonal conditions of the different geography and pasture where the lambs are raised.…”

“…Among those indigenous breeds have critical role in sustainable production and food security for various reasons such as genetic variability and high adaptation (Bingol, 2016). Nutrition of a large fraction of human population heavily depend on animal-sourced products such as meat and milk (Gül et al, 2020;Mondal & Reddy, 2017).…”

Effect of Lambing Season on Milk Quality and Hygiene of Awassi Sheep

“…In their study on Merino ewes, [19] found a considerable rise in body weight of ewes during the spring season, which was supported by the findings of the current study. The results concurred with the findings of [2] for Awassi ewes with high moral body weight in springtime ewes and lambs (March). The results of the current study concurred with those of [20] , as the researcher observed a considerable increase in the weights of Awlad Jalal lambs throughout the springtime.…”

“…Under standard and enhanced production systems, Awassi ewes produce 40-60 kg and 70-80 kg of milk every 150 days of lactation, respectively [1]. Sheep provide a quantity of red meat that is used as a source of animal-based protein in human nutrition and is a measure of a country's degree of development [2] .Sheep lambing occurs in late winter or early spring, when pasture conditions and other environmental circumstances are optimal for the growth and development of lambs and lamblings [3] .According to [4], the birth rate and weaning weights of Awassi lambs are greater in autumn and lower in winter . It offers desired traits like as high-quality meat and milk, adaptability to different environmental circumstances, disease resistance, tolerance of high temperatures, and the capacity to roam great distances for grazing [5] This breed is predominantly bred in Iraq to produce meat from lambs and rams [6] Weather and weather conditions have effects on animal productivity because they represent stress that affects physiological processes in animals [7] Milk somatic cells (SCC) are a mixture of milk-producing cells and immune cells.…”