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Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

ŞÜKRÜ DURSUN

DOI

10.55730/1300-0128.4237

Abstract

In this study, different applications of ram introduction at the beginning of the breeding season were investigated in terms of their effects on some fertility parameters. The rams were introduced to the herd (Farm II), removed for 6 days, and reintroduced again in the experiment group, while the rams stayed within the herd (Farm I) all of the breeding season in the control group. In both farms, ewes were hand mated. These practices were performed in two consecutive breeding seasons of 2014 and 2015. In farm II, in the following 13 days of the reintroduction of rams, 83.4% and 83.7% of the ewes were mated in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In farm I, these ratios were 67.9% and 75.7%. In farm II, the breeding season lasted 18 and 28 days in 2014 and 2015, respectively, while it lasted 28 and 40 days in Farm I. In farm II, 77% of births occurred within 11 days in 2014 and 82% in 15 days in 2015, and the births were completed in 27 and 32 days, respectively. In farm I, 65% of births occurred within 14 days in 2014 and 74% in 17 days in 2015, and the births were completed in 41 and 43 days, respectively. Mating and birth periods were compared, and significant differences (P values?) were found between the farms. Although breeding and offspring parameters were not different, the parameters investigated had positive results for farm II. As a result, when rams are introduced for 6 days, removed for 6 days, and reintroduced into the flocks, the breeding and the birth periods might be shortened, however there is no benefit in terms of production.

Keywords

Ewes, Central Anatolian merino, fertility, ram effect

First Page

659

Last Page

665

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