TY  - JOUR
T1  - Genetic and Non-Genetic Parameter Estimates for Growth Traits in Turkish Merino Lambs
AU - Ozder, Muhittin AU - Sezenler, Tamer AU - Refik, Ahmet AU - Ceyhan, Ayhan 
JO  - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
VL  - 8
IS  - 9
SP  - 1729
EP  - 1734
PY  - 2009
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1680-5593
DO  - javaa.2009.1729.1734
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2009.1729.1734
KW  - Turkish Merino sheep
KW  -genetic and phenotypic parameters
KW  -growth traits
KW  -daily gain
KW  -sex
KW  -random animal
AB  - Genetic and non-genetic influences on the body weights of 8429 Turkish Merino lambs sired by 292 rams over 1992-2006 were evaluated. Traits analyzed were Birth Weight (BW), 3 Months Weight (3 MW), 6 Months Weight (6 MW), 12 Months Weight (12 MW), Pre-weaning Daily Gain (PRDG) and Post-weaning Daily Gain (PSDG). REML estimates of variance and covariance components were obtained by using animal models in which the fixed effects of year of lambing, sex, birth type and age of dam and random animal direct and the maternal genetic effects were included. Average weights were 4.31±0.02, 32.4±0.36 45.1±0.43, 53.4±0.55 kg; 315±4 and 76±2 g for BW, 3 MW, 6 MW, 12 MW, PRDG and PSDG, respectively. All environmental factors were statistically significant, except age of dam for PSDG. Estimates of direct and maternal heritabilities were 0.14, 0.16; 0.29, 0.03; 0.31, 0.05; 0.38, 0.09; 0.29, 0.03 and 0.49, 0.10 for BW, 3 MW, 6 MW, 12 MW, PRDG and PSDG, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among traits were statistically significant and favorable. In general, heritability estimates are moderate and hence, genetic progress can be achieved through mass selection.
ER  -