Determination of udder characteristics in kivircik sheep under the breeder conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine udder characteristics, linear udder scores and the relationship of these characteristics with each other of Kivircik sheep in breeder conditions. A total of 38 heads of Kivircik ewes were used in the study. Udder morphology characteristics of the traits including udder circumference, udder height, udder length, teat distance, teat width and teat length values were measured as 37.2 cm, 17.1 cm, 22.8 cm, 16.5 cm, 18.8 mm and 27.3 mm respectively. Linear scores including teat placement, udder depth, degree of separation and degree of suspension of the udder were scored as 4.6, 8.0, 3.4 and 6.9, respectively. The effect of the control periods and live weight of the sheep were significant on the udder characteristics (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the effect of the type of birth was insignificant. The effects of the live weight and type of birth on the linear scores udder characteristics were insignificant.