Reproductive Performance, Birth Weight and Survival Characteristics in the Conservation-Priority Kaçeli Sheep Genotype

Authors : Çağrı Kandemir, Atakan Kahraman, Elçin Dikilikaya, Orhan Karaca, İbrahim Cemal, Onur Yılmaz, Çağdaş Gürel, Hüseyin Gökhan Özdemir, Nezih Ata, Zühal Gündüz

Pages : 92-109

Doi:10.51970/jasp.1804360

View : 78 | Download : 178

Publication Date : 2025-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was conducted to evaluate the number of lambs born per ewe, birth weight, and lamb survival rate in the Kaçeli sheep genotype, which is conserved as a genetic resource in Western Anatolia. Data were collected from records of 420 ewes and 470 lambs born to them on three farms during the 2024 and 2025 production periods. The overall averages for litter size and birth weight were 1.15 and 2.87 kg, respectively. The effects of year, farm, and month of birth on litter size were found to be statistically insignificant, whereas the effect of ewe age was significant. The highest number of lambs born per ewe was observed in 4–5-year-old ewes. Birth weight was significantly influenced by farm, ewe age, type of birth, and seasonal conditions (p < 0.05), while the effects of year and sex on this trait were minimal. The birth weight of single lambs was 21.6% higher than that of twins. The overall survival rate up to the marketing period was 89.36%, with significant differences observed between years. Faceted violin analyses revealed that higher birth weight significantly increased the survival rate, while birth type indirectly influenced this relationship through birth weight. The results indicate that the Kaçeli sheep genotype is genetically stable and resilient to environmental stresses. The genotype’s fertility, balanced birth weights, and high survival rate demonstrate sustainable production capacity even under low-input conditions. These findings emphasize that native breeds such as Kaçeli sheep genotype are strategically important not only for their production value but also for preserving genetic diversity, maintaining ecological balance, and enhancing biological resilience against climate change.
Keywords : Yerli ırk, Türk koyun ırkları, Sürdürülebilir yetiştirme, Yerel genetik kaynaklar

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