This study was conducted to identify key welfare risks using the AWIN (Animal Welfare Indicators) protocol for extensively managed sheep farms. Each farm was visited once. A total of 702 sheep were individually assessed on the farms as part of the second-level welfare criteria. The main animal welfare risks identified were housing facilities, the provision of adequate and balanced diets to the animals, and the implementation of appropriate animal health plans in accordance with the breed requirements.

Factors such as genotype, sex, type of birth, maternal age, weaning age and birth weight must be considered in evaluation of pre- and post-weaning growth traits. Myostatin mutation was introduced to native Turkish breed Ramlıç by marker-assisted introgression (MAI). The mutation has a positive effect on ultrasonographic carcass traits in crosses. Lambs with myostatin tended to have deeper longissimus muscle and good carcass characteristics, and they may be recommendable for Turkish farmers.