Studies on Possibility of Producing High Quality LambsBy Crossbreeding Among Sakız, Kıvırcık andGerman Black Headed Mutton Sheep

Abstract

This study has been carried out to get more and rapid growing lambs fit for slaughter by crossbreeding Kivircik ewes with Sakiz rams so as to produce F1 females with high fertility and high milk yield and crossbreeding these F1 females with German Black Headed Mutton rams. Studies have been carried out at Bandirma Sheep Breeding Research Institute. On the first step of this study 5 Sakiz rams and 134 Kivircik ewes had been used. When F1 females produced by Sakiz X KIvircik crossbreeding became mature, they had been crossbred with German Black Headed Mutton rams. The growth and carcass characteristics of the lambs born from this crossbreeding had been investigated. The data obtained, show that the liveability and the growth performance of Sakiz X Kivircik crossbred F 1 females had been satisfactory but prolific birth characteristic had been cosidered to be below the expectations. However, the lambs fit for slaughter had shown a rapid growth performance especially at the early ages and they had given high quality carcasses. The results of this study show that the usage of German Black Headed Mutton rams in getting high quality lambs in Turkey can bring important performance increase and can increase the low carcass weight of the native sheep breeds.