Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences 
Volume 37 Number 3 Article 4 
1-1-2013 
Main productive performance of Awassi sheep in the Central 
Anatolian Region of Turkey 
HAKAN ÜSTÜNER 
MEHMET MUSTAFA OĞAN 
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Recommended Citation 
ÜSTÜNER, HAKAN and OĞAN, MEHMET MUSTAFA (2013) "Main productive performance of Awassi 
sheep in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey," Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences: Vol. 37: 
No. 3, Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-1205-13 
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/vol37/iss3/4 
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Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Turk J Vet Anim Sci
(2013) 37: 271-276
http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/ © TÜBİTAK
Research Article doi:10.3906/vet-1205-13
Main productive performance of Awassi sheep in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey
Hakan ÜSTÜNER*, Mehmet Mustafa OĞAN
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludağ University, Görükle, Bursa, Turkey
Received: 08.05.2012              Accepted: 12.09.2012             Published Online: 03.06.2013              Printed: 27.06.2013
Abstract: This study aimed to determine milk yield, fertility, lamb growth, survival rate, and the effect of environmental factors on 
these parameters in the Awassi sheep of the Central Anatolian Region. The fertility parameters were determined to be as follows: heat 
rate, pregnancy rate, parturition rate, single-born rate, twinning rate, abortion rate, lamb rate, and number of lambs per parturition, 
based on the number of ewes assigned for mating, were 100%, 93.8%, 90.5%, 79.7%, 20.3%, 1.4%, 108.8%, and 1.20%, respectively. The 
survival rates of lambs at 60 and 120 days of age were 88.3% and 84.5%, respectively. The average lactation milk yield and lactation 
period of the Awassi ewes were 196.5 ± 5.60 kg and 184.3 ± 2.11 days, respectively. The general death and slaughter rate of the stock 
was 8.2% throughout the research period. The lactation milk yield was affected by the production year (P < 0.01) and the age of the ewe 
(P < 0.01), but the lactation length was not affected by the same environmental factors (P > 0.05). The results of this study have shown 
that the Awassi sheep raised in the Central Anatolian Region had similar lactation milk yield, fertility parameters, and survival rates as 
the Awassi sheep’s original race. In addition, since there were no epidemic health problems observed during the 2-year research period, 
Awassi sheep were shown to be adapted to being raised in this region.
Key words: Awassi, Central Anatolian Region, lactation yield, fertility parameters, environment
1. Introduction Agriculture and animal husbandry are important 
Small ruminants in Turkey have had particular importance sources of income in Central Anatolia. Approximately 
in animal breeding from the past to the present day. Sheep one-third of the grain production in Turkey occurs in this 
are thrifty animals (1), and their breeding requires a lower region. No dairy sheep breed is commonly raised in this 
investment cost than other types of animals, which is why region. It is clearly of interest to estimate how the Awassi 
sheep are the preferred livestock animal in Turkey. The performs under this different environmental condition in 
indigenous sheep breeds account for 97% of the sheep in regards to milk production, fertility parameters, and the 
Turkey. The remaining 3% are Merinos and Merino crosses. survival rates of lambs.
According to recent statistics published by TÜİK (2010), there This research presents some performance results 
are approximately 23 million sheep in Turkey. These numbers (lactation milk yield, fertility, survival rate, and lamb 
represent 18% of Turkey’s meat production and 7.8% of Turkey’s growth performance) of Awassi sheep in the central region 
milk production (2). The Awassi breed is traditionally kept for of Turkey.
the production of milk and meat and plays a socioeconomic 
role that does not exceed the importance of cattle in Turkey. 2. Materials and methods
The Awassi is the most popular fat-tailed sheep in the Near The Central Anatolian Region, specifically Eskişehir, is 
and Middle Eastern regions (3). The Awassi are raised in the located at 39°N and 30°E. It has a continental climate. The 
south of Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and Syria. Unfortunately, winters are cold and snowy; summers are hot and without 
the Awassi has taken its place among the genotypes of rain. The average temperature ranges between 21.5 °C 
indigenous genetic resources requiring a protection project and –0.8 °C (July and January, respectively). The annual 
due to their declining numbers. Awassi sheep are well precipitation is 373.6 mm. The data that we used for this 
adapted to the conditions of scarce feed availability and high study were derived from an Awassi flock that was located 
environmental temperatures (4). The Awassi breed has spread 55 km northeast of Eskişehir. A total of 147 ewes and 155 
from its countries of origin to other countries in all continents lambs were studied during the 2-year experimental period. 
of the world besides Antarctica, and the Awassi is used for The semiintensive management system of this flock was 
breeding purposes (5). provided by the Ceylanpınar State Farm.
* Correspondence: hustuner@uludag.edu.tr
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The lambs were identified by ear tags. Nothing about lambs born and then multiplying the result by 100. The 
the care and feeding management changed during the absolute weights of the lambs at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 
research period; therefore, the ewes mated at the beginning days of age were calculated by the linear interpolation of 
of October. Reproductive management included 45-day the weights obtained in consecutive weight measurements. 
(October through November) breeding periods during The survival rate, growth characteristics, and the effects of 
the years when the ewes were hand-mated following heat the factors (sex, birth type, year, and ewe age) affecting the 
detection. The ewes and rams received supplemental growth of the lambs were analyzed using the general linear 
feeding from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after this breeding model (GLM) procedure. The model below was used to 
period (flushing). During this period, every ewe was calculate the growth characteristics:
fed with a concentrate mixture consisting of 1.0 kg beef Yijkl = µ + ai + bj + tk + sl + eijkl, where Yijkl = production 
grower feed (10.47 MJ/kg ME), 0.5 kg alfalfa hay (8.62 MJ/ of any animal, µ = overall mean, ai = effect of dam age, 
kg ME), 0.2 kg barley (11.96 MJ/kg ME), and 0.5 kg straw bj = effect of year, tk = effect of birth type, sl = effect of 
(8.13 MJ/kg ME.). In addition, the flock grazed on poor sex of lamb, and eijkl = random error. With this model, it 
pasture. The rams were fed with a concentrate mixture was assumed that there were no significant interactions 
consisting of 1.0 kg beef grower feed (10.47 MJ/kg ME) between the factors investigated, and the sum of the effects 
and 1.0 kg straw (8.13 MJ/kg ME). During the months of the subgroups of factors was assumed to be zero. The 
of November through January, the feeding program fertility parameters were analyzed using the chi-square 
changed. During this period, the ewes were fed with 0.4 kg test. The statistical analyses were performed using Minitab 
concentrate mixture (beef grower feed, 10.47 MJ/kg ME), 14.2 (6).
0.4 kg barley (11.96 MJ/kg ME), and 0.4 kg straw (8.13 MJ/ Milk production was recorded fortnightly during the 
kg ME). From February through October, the ewes were lamb suckling period and after weaning. During this time, 
fed with 1.0 kg concentrate mixture (sheep dairy milk feed, the lambs were separated from the dams overnight, 12 h 
11.51 MJ/kg ME), 2.0 kg corn silage (2.51 MJ/kg ME), and prior to milking. The ewes were milked with the aid of a 
0.25 kg straw (8.13 MJ/kg ME). All the lambs were fed the milking machine twice daily from the day of lambing until 
same concentrate mixture, consisting of lamb starter feed their milk yield dropped to approximately 0.05 L/day or 
(11.72 MJ/kg) and alfalfa hay (8.62 MJ/kg ME), before until they had to be dried off before mating seasons. Data 
weaning. The concentrate mixture was changed to lamb were recorded for 2 lactation periods and calculated as 
grower feed (10.46 MJ/kg) after weaning. All the animals described by Pollot and Gootwine (7). The lactation milk 
had free access to clean drinking water, shade, and mineral yield, lactation period, and the effects of the factors (age 
blocks during the research period. The lambs were weaned and year) affecting the milk yield were analysed using the 
at approximately 2 months (60 days) of age. After weaning, GLM procedure. The model below was used to calculate 
all female lambs were fed with 0.5 kg concentrate feed the milk yield and lactation period characteristics:
mixture (beef starter feed, 10.67 MJ/kg) and 0.7 kg straw Yij = μ + Ai + Bj + Eij, where Yij = production of any animal, 
(8.13 MJ/kg ME). µ = overall mean, Ai = effect of age, Bj = effect of year, and 
All data pertaining to milk production (lactation Eij = random error. With this model, it was assumed that 
period) and reproductive performance (lambing seasons) there were no significant interactions between the factors 
were compiled for 2 years. Lambing data for both ewes investigated, and the sum of the effects of the subgroups of 
and lambs were recorded at lambing. These data included factors was assumed to be zero. The statistical analyses were 
the ewe age (when lambing), litter size, lamb sex, birth performed with the GLM procedure of Minitab 14.2 (6). 
date, birth weight, and the identity of the lamb’s father 
and mother. In addition to these, abortions, deaths, and 3. Results
slaughtered sheep of the flock were recorded. During The lambing data of the Awassi sheep are presented in 
the preweaning period, all lamb weights were recorded Table 1. The differences among pregnancy rate, birth rate, 
fortnightly. After the weaning period, the lambs’ weights lambing rate, and fecundity are not statistically significant 
were recorded once per month using scales sensitive to 50 (P > 0.05), but the twinning rates of first and second parity 
g. Lamb survival rates were also recorded at weaning. These were lower than the others. The present study showed that 
data were used to calculate the pregnancy and lambing the productive traits increased nonsignificantly (P > 0.05) 
rates, weaning survival rate, and the number of lambs with each advancing year of production for the pregnancy 
born per mated ewe. The lambing rates were calculated rate (93.4%), twinning rate (22.6%), lambing rate (114.5%), 
by dividing the number of born lambs by the number of and fecundity (1.22%).
ewes and then multiplying the result by 100. The survival The survival rate data for days 60 and 120 are shown 
rates of the lambs at 60 and 120 days of age were calculated in Table 2. The survival rate of female lambs was higher 
by dividing the number of live lambs by the number of than that of male lambs, and the percentages of the male 
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Table 1. Fertility of Awassi sheep. 
Pregnancy rate Single birth rate Twinning rate Lambing rate
n n % n % n % n % Litter size
Parity 
1 19 16 89.4* 16 100a – –a 16 84.2* 1.00
2 33 29 87.9* 27 93.1a 2 6.90a 31 93.9* 1.07
3 37 34 91.9* 27 79.4b 7 20.6b 41 110.8* 1.20
4 40 36 90.0* 25 69.4b 11 30.5b 47 117.5* 1.30
5 18 17 94.4* 10 58.8b 7 41.2b 24 133.3* 1.41
Production year
1 71 61 85.9* 50 80.6* 11 17.7* 72 101.4* 1.18
2 76 71 93.4* 55 77.5* 16 22.6* 87 114.5* 1.22
Overall 147 132 89.8 105 79.5 27 20.5 159 108.2 1.20
*: Nonsignificant (P > 0.05).
a,b: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.05. 
Lambing rate: Lambs born per ewe exposed.
Table 2. Survival rate of Awassi lambs (%).
Production traits Day 60 Day 120n n % n %
b d
Sex Male 70 57                 81.4 53                   75.7Female 85 80                 94.1a 78                   91.8c
Age of dam
2 16 13                 81.3* 13                   81.3*
3 29 27                 96.4* 25                   86.2*
4 39 35                 89.7* 34                   87.2*
5 47 42                 87.5* 40                   85.1*
6 24 20                 83.3* 19                   79.2*
Production year 
1 72 62                 86.1* 60                   83.3*
2 83 75                 90.4* 71                   85.5*
Overall 155 137                 88.3 131                  84.5
*: Nonsignificant (P > 0.05). 
a,b: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.05. 
c,d: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.01.
and female lambs that reached 60 days of age were 81.4% days, respectively. The amount of milk yield for 2-year-old 
and 94.1% (P < 0.05), respectively. The percentages for the ewes (156.1 ± 12.72) was lower than the yield for the other 
male and female lambs that reached 120 days of age were ewes, and the effects of age (P < 0.05) and production year 
75.7% and 91.8% (P < 0.01), respectively. The differences (P < 0.01) on the lactation milk yield were statistically 
among the survival rates, age of ewes, and production year significant. No significant differences (P > 0.05) of those 
were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The general parameters on the lactation period were found.
survival rates at 60 and 120 days of age were found to be The results for the weight of lambs at birth and 30, 60, 
88.3% and 84.5%, respectively. 90, 120, and 180 days of age are shown in Tables 4 and 
The milk production results for the 2 years are shown 5. The average lamb birth weight and weight at 30, 60, 
in Table 3. In this research, the lactation milk yield and 90, and 120 days of age were 4.52 ± 0.07 kg, 9.94 ± 0.22 
lactation length were 196.5 ± 5.60 kg and 184.3 ± 2.11 kg, 17.34 ± 0.37 kg, 23.26 ± 0.54 kg, and 29.14 ± 0.73 kg, 
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Table 3. Lactation milk yield (kg) and lactation period (days) of Awassi sheep.
Lactation milk yield (kg) Lactation period (days)
Production traits
n —X  ± S ——X X  ± S —X 
2 15 156.1 ± 12.72b 189.2 ± 5.65*
3 24 204.0 ± 10.07a 185.8 ± 4.49*
Age of ewe 4 31 205.6 ± 8.80a 177.6 ± 3.90*
5 33 208.4 ± 8.48a 181.0 ± 3.78*
6 17 198.4 ± 12.81a 188.2 ± 5.70*
1 55 185.0 ± 6.17y 182.3 ± 2.75*
Production year
2 65 204.0 ± 7.44x 186.4 ± 3.31*
Overall 120 196.5 ± 5.60 184.3 ± 2.11
*: Nonsignificant (P > 0.05). 
a,b: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.05. 
x,y: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.01.
Table 4. Least squares mean live body weights of Awassi lambs (kg).
Birth 30-day 60-day
Production traits weight weight weight
n —X  ± S — ——X n X  ± S — —X n X  ± S X 
Single 97 5.08 ± 0.07a 96 11.16 ± 0.24e 92 18.77 ± 0.40g
Type of birth
Twin 48 3.96 ± 0.11b 45 8.72 ± 0.36f 45 15.90 ± 0.60h
2 14 4.17 ± 0.20* 14 9.13 ± 0.62* 13 16.57 ± 1.06*
3 28 4.55 ± 0.14* 28 9.81 ± 0.44* 27 16.47 ± 0.73*
Age of dam 4 36 4.58 ± 0.12* 35 10.03 ± 0.38* 35 17.50 ± 0.63*
5 43 4.60 ± 0.10* 42 10.41 ± 0.33* 42 18.40 ± 0.55*
6 24 4.71 ± 0.15* 22 10.32 ± 0.50* 20 17.73 ± 0.87*
1 62 4.50 ± 0.10* 62 10.15 ± 0.33* 62 16.64 ± 0.55p
Production year
2 83 4.54 ± 0.08* 79 9.73 ± 0.27* 75 18.03 ± 0.45m
Male 61 4.69 ± 0.10c 58 10.20 ± 0.31* 57 18.15 ± 0.52k
Sex
Female 84 4.35 ± 0.08d 83 9.68 ± 0.27* 80 16.53 ± 0.45r
Overall 145 4.52 ± 0.07 141 9.94 ± 0.22 137 17.34 ± 0.37
*: Nonsignificant (P > 0.05).
g,h: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.05.
a,b; k,r: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.01.
c,d; e,f; p,m: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.001.
respectively. The average weight of the female lambs at 180 ± 6.17 kg) (P < 0.01). Pasture conditions and management 
days of age was 38.07 ± 0.67 kg. As shown in Tables 4 and can influence this difference. The milk yield of Awassi ewes 
5, a significant difference can be observed in the weights shows extensive variation; in this research, the total milk 
between the birth types except for on day 180, and the yield findings are higher than some reported milk yields 
single-born lambs weighed more than the twins. (8–11) but lower than others (12–15). 
In this research, the birth weight was 4.52 ± 0.07 kg, 
4. Discussion and the 30-, 60-, 90- and 120-day live weights were 9.94 
During the research period, the second year’s milk yield ± 0.22, 17.34 ± 0.37, 23.26 ± 0.54, and 29.14 ± 0.73 kg, 
(204 ± 7.44 kg) was higher than that of the first year (185.0 respectively. Examining Table 4 shows that while the birth 
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Table 5. Least squares mean live body weights of Awassi lambs (kg).
90-day 120-day 180-day
Production traits weight weight weight
n —X  ± S ——X n X  ± S 
—
—
X n X  ± S —X 
Single 92 25.05 ± 0.57a 89 30.68 ± 0.78e 52 39.22 ± 0.67*
Type of birth
Twin 43 21.47 ± 0.88b 42 27.62 ± 1.19f 21 36.93 ± 1.11*
2 13 22.40 ± 1.52* 13 27.87 ± 2.05* 10 36.75 ± 1.61*
3 27 21.69 ± 1.07* 25 27.87 ± 1.49* 11 38.65 ± 1.47*
Age of dam 4 34 23.13 ± 0.91* 34 30.14 ± 1.22* 20 36.80 ± 1.06*
5 41 23.85 ± 0.79* 40 29.20 ± 1.08* 22 40.04 ± 1.03*
6 20 25.23 ± 1.23* 19 30.67 ± 1.70* 10 38.16 ± 1.60*
1 61 23.23 ± 0.79* 60 29.16 ± 1.08* 33 40.19 ± 0.98k
Production year
2 74 23.29 ± 0.65* 71 29.13 ± 0.90* 40 35.97 ± 0.81m
Male 55 25.00 ± 0.76c 53 31.41 ± 1.04g – –
Sex
Female 80 21.52 ± 0.64d 78 26.89 ± 0.87h – –
Overall 135 23.26 ± 0.54 131 29.14 ± 0.73 73 38.07 ± 0.67
*: Nonsignificant (P > 0.05).
e,f ; k,m: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.05.
a,b ; c,d ; g,h: Means within the same column with different letters differ significantly at P < 0.001.
type (P < 0.01) and sex (P < 0.001) affected birth weight, The fertility of Awassi ewes ranged from 85.0% to 
the parity and production year had no significant effect. 92.2% in Turkey, and the litter size ranged from 1.02 to 1.4 
The birth type was also affected by the other live weights. in different countries (5,12,26,27,28). The pregnancy rate 
The effect of sex was determined to be significant on the during this research (93.8%) is higher than that observed 
60-, 90- and 120-day live weights (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < for some of Turkey’s pregnancy rate findings and others 
0.001, respectively). (12,19,26). Litter sizes in the first and second year were 
The birth and weaning weights (60 days) found in this found to be 1.18 and 1.22, respectively. The identified 
study were higher than the values reported by Emsen and values were found to be higher than the values reported 
Yaprak (16) as 3.34 and 14.63 kg, respectively, and by Kul by Alkass and Juma (10), Gürsoy et al. (12), Kridli et al. 
and Akçan (17) as 4.15 and 11.53 kg, respectively. Pollot (19), Özsoy et al. (26), and Kassem (29), but the identified 
et al. (18) and Kridli et al. (19) reported the birth weight values were found to be lower than those of Gootwine et 
as 4.8 kg, Hassen et al. (20) as 4.05 kg in Awassi lambs, al. (28).
Esenbuğa and Dayıoğlu (21) as 4.17 kg in Awassi lambs, 
and Dikmen et al. (22) as 4.31 kg in Awassi lambs. While In many locations, the Awassi has become the 
the birth weights obtained in almost all of the above breed of preference, especially for dairy because of its 
studies for similar genotypes exhibit parallels to the results high performance and ability to produce under varied 
achieved in the present study, the results from this study production environments. The Awassi sheep breed is an 
were higher than the values reported by Özbey and Akçan important genetic resource that plays a significant role 
(23) as 3.9 kg and by Hassen et al. (20) as 4.05 kg in Awassi in milk and lamb production in the Central Anatolian 
lambs. In the findings of this research, the type of birth and Region in addition to the region of its origin. According to 
sex affected birth weight, such that the results showing that the results of this study, Awassi sheep can be successfully 
the birth weight was higher in males compared to females raised under Central Anatolian conditions.
and in single-born lambs compared to twins were similar 
to those stated by Dikmen et al. (22). Acknowledgments 
In this research, the survival rates were found to be The authors are thankful to retired Prof Dr Hasan 
similar to those found by Kridli et al. (19) as 83% and Başpınar from the Department of Animal Science, Faculty 
higher than the 81% value reported by Aksakal et al. (24), of Veterinary Medicine, Uludağ University, for his great 
but lower than others (23,25). assistance.
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