The aim of this study was to determine models which will be used for the estimation of adult live weights based on some body measurements using multiple regression model in Karya sheep of different age groups. Animal material of the study consisted of a total of 215 Karya sheep. Least squares means for live weight, body length, rump height, withers height, back height, chest depth, chest girth, and chest width of Karya sheep in Adnan Menderes University Group Sheep Breeding Program elite flock and breeder flocks were found as 47.24 kg, 67.08, 68.29, 68.58, 66.97, 30.04, 93.24, and 18.29 cm, respectively. Karya ewes were put into five categories according to ages (2-6 years). High positive phenotypic correlation coefficients were observed between live weight and body measurements of animals in different age groups (2-6 years). Among the formed multiple regression models, the highest coefficients of determination (R(2)) were obtained from the models formed for body length or body length and chest girth together (R(2) = 0.79, R (2) = 0.87). It is concluded that live weight of Karya sheep can be estimated with a high accuracy using some body measurements and statistical methods.

The genetic variability of 204 sheep from nine breeds (Awassi, Çine Çaparı, Karakaş, Karya, Karayaka, Morkaraman, Norduz, Sakız and Tuj) growing in four different regions (western, northern, eastern and south-eastern Anatolia) was assessed using 18 microsatellite loci. High mean number of alleles, allelic richness and factorial correspondence analysis showed the degree of admixture between native sheep breeds of Turkey. The Karya and Çine Çaparı breeds were observed as the most distinct of the breeds, and possible introgressions were detected in other breeds. It was found that 8.9% of genetic variation resulted from the difference between the populations. The genetic variation in Turkish breeds was not much higher than that of European breeds, which might be a consequence of the recent sharp decrease in sheep numbers.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the body condition score (BCS) of ewes before and during the mating season on their reproductive performance under an extensive production system. In this study, 240 Kivircik sheep from the flocks of two breeders were used for over a 2-year period. The flocks were fed under extensive conditions on natural pastures throughout the year. The ewes were synchronized in two different periods, one of which was 45 days before the other. Before the introduction of rams to the ewes, the ewes were weighed after measuring their BCS. Detailed records were kept for every flock in each year. We found significant effects of BCS on pregnancy rate, lambing rate (P < 0.05) and fecundity (P < 0.05). The BCS for the highest pregnancy, lambing rate, and fecundity was determined between 2.01 and 3.00, while the lowest rates for these traits were ≤ 1.50. The highest rates of the pregnancy rate, lambing rate, and fecundity and gestation productivity were 75.9%, 70.9%, 1.11 and 3.34 kg, respectively.

IntroductionSheep production has a significant share in the animal protein market and there are various factors affecting meat quality (1-3). Although lamb is considered fattier than other meats by a lot of consumers, its fat content is not regarded as a problem as it gives tenderness and more flavor to the meat. However, improper rearing and/ or feeding conditions might cause excessive fattening, which reduces demand from customers. In recent years, the production of lamb, which is preferred by the majority of consumers in Turkey and Mediterranean countries, has declined in Turkey due to a numerical decrease in the sheep population.In the western Anatolian region of Turkey (particularly in the Aegean and Marmara regions) there is a high demand for the meat of Kıvırcık and Kıvırcık crossbred lambs, which is one of the thin-tailed lamb genotypes. Eşme District in Uşak Province is a large market for lamb production in western Anatolia. Due to this demand, there is intensive lamb shipment from Eşme to many city and district centers in the Aegean Region, particularly to İzmir, for slaughter purposes between April and June. Apart from this period, large numbers are shipped to neighboring cities as sacrificial lambs.Rearing systems and feeding conditions have a significant role in carcass formation and meat quality. Important factors in terms of carcass and meat quality include ratio of valuable carcass components, pH, color, water loss, cooking loss, tenderness, and fatty acid composition (4,5). Lamb meat quality involves parameters such as carcass quality characteristics (proportion and distribution of carcass components), meat quality characteristics (chemical composition, microbial characteristics), and eating quality evaluated by panelists (tenderness, juiciness, flavor, total acceptability). Although consumers and retailers desire high eating quality in meat, it is difficult to develop these characteristics due to the technological, financial, and biological limitations for animal farmers (6-8). Desirable traits in meat are high sensory characteristics such as tenderness, juiciness, color, flavor, and a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Kıvırcık lamb is considered to have good meat quality compared to other breeds (6).The present study aimed to determine meat quality of Kıvırcık lambs reared in Eşme, which has a large number of sheep. pH, color, tenderness, water loss, cooking loss, shear force properties, and fatty acid composition were determined from muscle samples collected from different sections of the carcass.

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