DETERMINATION OF BODY WEIGHT AND BODY MEASUREMENTS OF AKKARAMAN SHEEP REARED AT MALYA STATE FARM IN MIDDLE ANATOLIA REGION CONDITIONS OF TURKEY

S. Çilek

Abstract: This study was carried out to determine body weight and some body measurements of Akkaraman sheep reared at Malya state farm in Middle Anatolia region conditions of Turkey. Body weight and body measurements were measured from 60 ewes and 40 rams. Least squares means were 64.59±0.94 kg for body weight, 81.43±0.34 cm for wither height, 80.59±0.34 cm for rump height, 81.19±0.35 cm for back height, 29.75±0.16 cm for rump length, 18.30±0.12 cm for rump width, 8.27±0.05 cm for front cannon bone circumference, 77.43±0.45 cm for body length, 89.78±0.50 cm for chest circumference, 38.29±0.21 cm for chest depth, 35.19±0.27 cm for chest length, 23.27±0.16 cm for chest width, 30.58±0.44 cm for tail length, 23.45±0.29 cm for tail-tarsal joint distance, 33.21±0.52 cm for tail width, 31.16±0.12 cm for head length, 44.74±0.22 cm for head circumference, 10.85±0.13 cm for head width, 18.08±0.14 cm for distance between ears, 17.16±0.13 cm for ear length, 8.65±0.06 cm for ear width of ewes. Mean of body weight of rams was 88.70±1.15 kg. Body measurements of rams were statistically higher than ewes (P<0.01) except for ear length, tail length and the tail-tarsal joint distance. Effect of age on body weight was significant (P<0.001) and body weight increased until 5 years old in both ewes and rams. Effect of age on some body measurements (wither height, back height, rump length, rump width, body length, chest circumference, chest depth, tail width, head length and head circumference) was significant (P<0.05). Body measurements generally increased with increasing of age until 5 years old. It can be concluded that body measurements and body weight of Akkaraman sheep are at good levels and Akkaraman sheep are raised successfully on Malya state farm.

Keywords: Akkaraman; body measurements; body weight; fatty tail; Sheep

Date published: 2017-05-16