Some reproductive and growth traits of crossbred genotypes produced by crossing local sheep breeds of Kivircik x White Karaman and Chios x White Karaman in steppe conditions

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate some production traits of crossbred genotypes produced for lamb production by crossing local sheep breeds of Kivircik (K) x White Karaman (W) and Chios (C) x White Karaman in steppe conditions. W breed is raised in steppe conditions while K and C breeds are raised in Mediterranean climate conditions in Turkey. A total of 340 ewes was used through 3 years. The litter size for W, KWF₁ and CWF₁ ewes were 1.26, 1.19 and 1.52 (P<0.05), respectively. The least squares means of W, KW F₂, KW B₁, CW F₂ and CW B₁ lambs were 91.2, 95.7, 95.6, 87.3 and 94.2 % for survival rate at weaning (90 days); 4.4, 4.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.1 kg for birth weight; 21.1, 20.3, 19.6, 20.3 and 19.9 kg for weaning weight; 31.9, 29.4, 30.3, 30.5 and 30.1 kg for 180 day weight, respectively. The differences among genotypes for survival rates and growth performance of lambs were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The results indicated that Chios crossbred ewes had the highest reproductive performance while all genotypes had similar performance in terms of survival and growth of lambs in steppe conditions.