Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi

Abstract

Swnmary: Kıvırcık is an indigeneous breed of shcep in Turkey. Theyare found ehiefly in Thraee. lı this part of Turkey, the eeonomie aspeets of mutton and milk production
are considered. Experimental crossing, with a vicw to obtaining progenies having high productions, is being continued.
Texel have been imported from Holland. The improvement of Kıvırcık by Texel
was begun in 1970. Texcl rams were used as improver. At first, the Kıvırcık ewes aged 2 to
6 years rised at inanh Animal Breeding Research Station were mated with Texcl rams. The
first Fı crossbreds were obtained in 197ı.
In 1973, the milk production of 35 1'1 crossbred ewcs during 187 days (in the av. laetation length) was average 79,9 :!: 0,97 kg. (induding milk sueklcd by lamb). Their lactatation lengths changed between 160 and 212 days. The average percentage of butterfat
was 6,74 % for Fı.
In 1973, the average milk production of 70 Kıvırcık ewes aged 2 years was 81,O:!: 1,62
kg. (induding milk suckled by lamb) in 142 to 215 day lactations. The average lactaıion
length for Kıvırcık was 183 days. The average percentage of butterfat for Kıvırcık was
6,78 %
No signifieant differences were faund between the two groups, in respeet of av. milk
production,lactation length and percentage of butterfat. However, this is the first report.
Effects of Texel genotype on milk is important. For this reason, it is necessary to continue
this kind of work.