EVALUATION OF SHEEP UDDER IN RELATION WITH MILKING CLUSTERS DESIGN

Hr. Sabkov, T. Ivanova, E. Raycheva, I. Mortev

Abstract: An exterior evaluation of ewe flock of the Bulgarian Milky Synthetic Population breed was carried out. The aim of the study was to determine the values of some udder parameters, associated with the substantiation of the construction and the parameters of sheep milking apparatuses. The parameters “Height of teats to the floor“ and “Distance between teats“ (distance between inner walls of the teats, measured at the base of the teats) were introduced. The type of the udder as well as the exterior parameters “Height of teats to the floor“, “Distance between teats“, diameter and length of the teats were studied. They were obtained the statistical numeric characteristics of the studied parameters, incl. the means and the variation limits. The assessment of the udder type shows that in 88% of ewes of the studied flock the udder could be evaluated as suitable for machine milking.

Keywords: body measurements; exterior; sheep; udder evaluation

Date published: 2018-03-14