DETERMINATION OF MILK YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF KARAKAS SHEEP, BIRTH AND WEANING WEIGHT OF LAMBS IN FARM CONDITIONS

The aim of this study is to determine birth and weaning weights and milk yield characteristics of Karakas sheep. The animal material of the study was composed by 187 lambs and 93heads of ewes aged between 2-6 in Diyarbakur province. Birth weights and weaning weights were found to be 4.08 kg and 18.56 kg in the females and 4.35 kg respectively 19.68 kg in the males. Lactation milk yields, lactation length and mean milk yields in the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 year old ewes were: 86.86, 95.74, 95.00, 94.50, 94.85 liters; 166, 92, 167, 47, 168, 79, 169, 36, 165 days; 480.5, 516.3, 529.2, 501.9, 589.0 gr, respectively. According to the research, the yield characteristics of Karakas sheep breeders in Diyarbakur province were found to be satisfactory for the region.