The estimation of variance components for prolificacy and growth traits of Sakız sheep

The aim of the current study was to investigate the fix effects which are considered to influence ewe prolificacy, growth traits and to estimate genetic parameters for fertility, litter size at birth (LSB) and litter size at weaning (LSW), survival rate (SR), birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YLW), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG) of Sakız sheep. Data and pedigree information of Sakız sheep used in this study were collected at the Marmara Animal Livestock Research Institute from 2001 to 2008. Estimates of genetic parameters were obtained by the use of DFREML package programs. The material ewe was classified according to birth year (8), age of ewe at lambing (6). The lamb material was classified year, age of dam, birth type and sex. The effects of years and ages of ewe were not significant for fertility (P > 0.05), litter size at birth (LSB), but the year effect was significant for LSW (P < 0.05). The effects age of ewes, sex and birth types of lambs were significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) of birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling live weight (YLW) and average daily gain (ADG) of Sakız sheep.Estimates of heritability were 0.035 for LSB, 0.189 for LSW, 0.163 for survival rate, 0.188 for BW, 0.174 for WW, 0.148 for YLW and 0.251 for ADG, respectively.