Different estrous induction protocols during the transition period in lactating Turkish Saanen does following Al

The objective of this study was to evaluate the duration of three progestagen treatments for estrous synchronization in lactating Turkish Saanen goats during the transitional period from anestrous. All does (n = 60) were divided into three equal groups and the estrous period of the does was synchronized using intravaginal sponges (20 mg FGA) for either 11 days (Group 1), 9 days (Group 2) or 6 days (Group 3). In addition, 24h before sponge removal (on the 10(th) day, 8(th) day and 5(th) day, respectively) each doe was injected with 0.075 mg cloprostenol (PGF(2 alpha)) and 500 IU eCG. Cervical artificial inseminations (Al) with frozen-thawed semen were performed at fixed intervals (36 and 48 h) following progestagen withdrawal. The total estrous response following the first withdrawal was 12 +/- 6 h within 66 h. Time to onset and duration of the induced estrous, and pregnancy rates were recorded to be 30.0%, 100%, 23.9 +/- 0.7 h, 29.4 +/- 1.3 h, and 28.3%, respectively. There were significant differences between Group 1 and the other groups, in terms of the onset of induced estrus (P<0.05) and estrous response for the first 12 +/- 6 h (P<0.05) and between Group 2 and Groups 1 and 3 in terms of the duration of induced estrous (P<0.05). Each of the three protocols was effective in inducting and synchronizing estrus in lactating Turkish Saanen goats.Tarım Bakanlığı Çanakkale İl Genel Kurul

Effects of Weaning and Spatial Enrichment on Behavior of Turkish Saanen Goat Kids

As is in all economic activities, the highest yield per unit area is the main goal in animal production, while addressing the temperamental needs of animals often is ignored. Animal welfare is not only an ethical fact; it also has an economic value. Spatial environmental enrichment contributes positively to animal welfare by addressing their behavioral and mental requirements. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of weaning and spatial environmental arrangements on behaviors of goat-kids. Experimental groups were arranged in structured and unstructured spatial environments. Roughage feeder, semi-automatic concentrate feeder, bunk, bridge, and wood block were placed in the structured environment. No equipment was placed in the unstructured environment and paddock sides were enclosed with an iron sheet to prevent bipedal stance and to provide environmental isolation. In the study 10 male and 10 female Turkish Saanen goat kids were used in each group. Spatial environmental arrangements did not have significant impacts on the growth performance of kids (p>0.05). All objects in the structured group were accepted by the kids. Average use ratios of roughage feeder, semi-automatic concentrate feeder, bunk, bridge and wood block were observed as 19.3%, 14.0%, 12.6%, 3.8%, and 0.7%, respectively. There were significant differences between before- and after-weaning in use of all objects except for underneath bridge (p≤0.05). Concentrate feed consumption, locomotion, and resting behaviors in kids showed significant differences by structural group and growth period. Roughage consumption was similar between groups, while it differed by growth period (p≤0.05). Interaction frequency was significantly higher in structured group (p = 0.0023). Playing behavior significantly differentiated based on the growth period rather than on groups (p≤0.05). Playing behavior significantly decreased after weaning. Abnormal oral activity was significantly higher in the structured group before weaning (p≤0.05). Despite there being no installations facilitating climbing and bipedal stance, the kids of the unstructured group were able to exhibit 1/3 as much bipedal stance behavior as the kids of the structured group through leaning over slippery paddock wall or over their groupmates. Bipedal stance behavior of unstructured group was similar before and after weaning, while bipedal stance behavior before weaning was about 2 times that of after weaning in structured group. It was concluded that unstructured environmental arrangement limited the behavior repertoire of the goat kids

Effects of kefir on coccidial oocysts excretion and performance of dairy goat kids following weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of kefir, a traditional source of probiotic, on coccidial oocysts excretion and on the performance of dairy goat kids following weaning. Twin kids were randomly allocated to one of two groups at weaning. Kids of the first group received 20 ml of kefir daily for 6 weeks (KEF), while kids in the control group were given a placebo (CON). Individual faecal samples were regularly (n = 18 per kid) taken to quantify the number of coccidial oocysts per gram of faeces (OpG). There were no differences between the groups in terms of body weight development (P > 0.05) and feed consumption. Kids of both groups were not able to consume enough feed to meet their nutrient requirements during the first 3 weeks following weaning. KEF had a lower frequency of OpG positive samples than CON (P = 0.043). Kefir did not affect the maximum oocyst excretion and age of the kids at the highest oocyst excretion (P > 0.05). KEF shed numerically 35% lower coccidial oocysts than the controls, which corresponded to a statistical tendency (P = 0.074) in lowering Log-OpG in comparison to CON. While KEF had a lower frequency of OpG positive samples and tended to shed lower OPG by around one-third, the frequency of diarrhea, level of highest oocyst excretion, and performance of the kids remained unaffected. Therefore, it is concluded that overall effects of kefir do not have a significant impact on sub-clinical infection and performance in weaned kids under relatively high-hygienic farming conditions

Comparison of Gökçeada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen Goat Genotypes for Reproduction Traits

Bu çalışmada farklı keçi genotiplerinde kızgınlık, gebelik, aşım performansı ve davranışları ile doğumdaki oğlak sayısı özelliklerinin karşılaştırmalı olarak irdelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Teknolojik ve Tarımsal Araştırma-Uygulama Merkezi’inde iki yıl süreyle yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, aşımda dişi bireylerin kur davranış indeksinde önemli bir farklılık görülmezken, Gökçeada tekeleri diğer genotiplerin tekelerinden önemli ölçüde daha düşük kur davranış indeksine ve ejekülasyonlu atlama sıklığına sahip olmuştur (P?0,05). Malta tekeleri Türk Saanen genotiplerine benzer kur indeksine ve ejekülasyonlu atlama sıklığına sahip olurken, önemli ölçüde daha az ejekülasyonsuz atlama gerçekleştirmişlerdir (P?0,05). İlkine kızgınlık ve teke altı doğum oranları sırasıyla Gökçeada %33 ve %25, Malta %65 ve %42, Türk Saanen genotipinde %96 ve %64 olarak gerçekleşmiştir (P<0,0001). Teke katımı ile ilk kızgınlık ve gebelik arası süre ikinci yılda tüm genotiplerde uzarken Gökçeada genotipi her iki yılda da diğer genotiplerden önemli ölçüde daha uzun sürelere ve daha düşük dönme oranına sahip olmuştur (P?0,05). Doğumdaki keçi başına oğlak sayısı Gökçeada ve Malta genotipinde ikinci yılda önemli ölçüde artarken (P?0,05), en yüksekten en düşüğe sırasıyla Malta (1,9; 2,4), Türk Saanen (1,9; 1,8) ve Gökçeada (1,6; 1,8) şeklinde gerçekleşmiştir.This study aimed at comparative investigation of estrus, pregnancy, mating performance, behaviors, and kid yield at birth in different goat genotypes. The study was carried out at the Technological and Agricultural Research Centre of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University for a period of two years. Although the courtship behavior index of females did not differ, the bucks of Gökçeada had lower courtship behavior index and jumping frequency with ejaculation than did other genotypes (P?0.05). Maltese bucks displayed courtship behavior index and mounting frequency with ejaculation similar to Turkish Saanen bucks, but had lower mounting frequency without ejaculation (P?0.05). First estrus and birth rates (buck under) were 33% and 25% for Gökçeada, 65% and 42% for Maltese and 96% and 64% for Turkish Saanen, respectively (P<0.0001). The period between buck introduction and first estrus or conception increased in all genotypes in the second year of the study. Gökçeada had longer periods and lower return rates in both years (P?0.05). Kid yield per goat at birth in the second year increased significantly in Gökçeada and Maltese genotypes and was found as Maltese (1.9; 2.4), Turkish Saanen (1.9; 1.8) and Gökçeada (1.6; 1.8) in the descending order

Effects of milking system in suckling period on growth, reproduction traits, and milk yield of East Friesian-cross dairy sheep

The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of milking system on growth, reproduction, and milk yield and composition of East Friesiancross (Tahirova) dairy sheep that were milked in the evening during the suckling period. A total of 43 Tahirova ewes and 58 lambs were used in the present study. One of the groups was milked in the evening (evening milked; EM) before coming together with their lambs, and the other group was not (not milked in the evening; NEM). Morning milking was performed in both groups during the study. Lambs in both groups were individually weaned at the age of 60 days. There was no statistical difference between the lambs’ live weight at weaning in the EM and NEM groups, determined to be 23.46 and 24.11 kg, respectively. Live weight values of lambs were similar in the groups at ages of up to 180 days. The reproductive characteristics of ewe lambs in the EM and NEM groups, having similar growth rates and a similar live weight and body condition in the first estrus stages, were also similar. The return rate and frequency of return were close in both groups of ewe lambs. Milk yield of the NEM group was significantly higher than that of the EM group before and after weaning. However, in groups with similar lactation milk yield and length, the total marketable milk yield was higher in the suckling period of the EM group. The milking system in suckling period of Tahirova ewes does not significantly affect growth, average daily gain, and reproductive characteristics. Milk yield in the NEM group before and after weaning was significantly higher than the EM group, but the total marketable milk yield was higher in the EM group

Gökçeada Keçisi Oğlaklarının Farklı Karkas Parçalarındaki Et, Kemik, Yağ Oranları Üzerine Üretim Sisteminin Etkisi

Bu çalışma, farklı üretim sistemlerinde yetiştirilen Gökçeada keçisi erkek oğlakların karkas parçalarındaki et, kemik ve yağ oranlarının belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Materyal olarak, üç gruptan toplam 27 baş erkek oğlağın karkasları kullanılmıştır. Grup I-Süt Oğlakları (n:7): 80-90 günlük yaşa kadar anne sütü ve süte ilave olarak oğlak büyütme yemi ve yonca kuru otu ile beslenen ve tüm gün ağılda tutulan erkek oğlaklar; Grup II-Entansif Sistem Oğlakları (n:10): Doğum sonrası ilk yedi gün anneleri ile birlikte ağılda kalan, bir hafta sonunda annelerinden sabah mera öncesi ayrılan, akşam sağımı sonrasında gece boyunca anneleri ile kalan, ortalama 47 günlük yaşta sütten kesilen, ikinci haftadan itibaren adlibitum olarak yonca kuru otu ve oğlak büyütme yemi ile beslenen, araştırma boyunca ağılda tutulan erkek oğlaklar; Grup III-Ekstansif Sistem Oğlakları (n:10): Doğumlarını takiben dört ay boyunca anneleri ile birlikte Gökçeada’nın doğal ortamında serbest bir biçimde yaşayan erkek oğlaklar. III. Gruptaki oğlakların anneleri sağılmamış, ilave yemleme yapılmamış ve kesime kadar olan sürede anne ve oğlakları birlikte Gökçeada’nın doğal koşulları altında yaşamlarını sürdürmüşlerdir. Grup I’deki oğlaklar ortalama 90 günlük yaşta sütten kesimlerini takiben; Grup II ve III’deki oğlaklar ise ortalama 120 günlük yaşta kesime sevk edilmişlerdir. Oğlakların karkas kompozisyonları diseksiyon ile belirlenmiştir. Her karkas parçası et, kemik, deri altı yağ, kaslar arası yağ ve diğer dokular (damar, tendo, sinir ve lenf yumrusu) olarak beş kısma ayrılmış, buharlaşma kaybı da ayrıca hesaplanmıştır. Oğlak karkasları et oranı yönü ile değerlendirildiğinde; boyun, etek, kol, uzun but ve kuyrukta gruplar arasında istatistiki bir farklılık bulunmaz iken (P>0.05), sırt (P<0,001) ve bel (P<0.01) bölgelerinde ise Grup I lehinde farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Karkastaki kemik ve toplam yağ oranları tüm üretim sistemleri ve karkas bölümleri için istatistiki bakımdan önemli farklılıklar oluşturmuştur. Grup III’teki oğlakların karkas parçalarında kemik oranlarının en düşük, total yağ oranlarının ise en yüksek yüzdelik seviyede olduğu tespit edilmiştir (P<0.01). Sonuç olarak, değişik karkas parçaları genel olarak değerlendirildiğinde, süt oğlakları ile entansif sistem oğlaklarının daha az yağlı karkas ürettiği, sırt ve bel bölgelerindeki et oranları bakımından da süt oğlaklarının daha yüksek orana sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir

Effects of Prickly Burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach.) Control and Sheep Grazing on Hay Yield and Quality on G&ouml;k&ccedil;eada Island, Turkey

(1) Background: The effects of prickly burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum) control measures (pulling out, burning and cutting) and grazing on the botanical composition, grazeable dry matter (GDM) yield and nutritional values of rangeland were investigated on Imbros Island (Turkey) in 2010&ndash;2013. (2) Methods: The rangeland was grazed by Imbros sheep during the last year of the experiment. About 0.15 ha of rangeland was allocated to each sheep and five sheep were placed in each plot. Grazing was continuous throughout the year. (3) Results: Shrub levels decreased by 50&ndash;60% due to pulling out, burning and cutting in the first year and herbaceous species increased. Forbs increased more in the pulled and burnt plots and grasses increased more in the cut plots. In the third year, the shrub level increased to 60&ndash;65% and herbaceous species decreased. The decrease in herbaceous species was observed mostly in forbs. Plant cover was mostly (58%) composed of annual species. Development decreased plant cover ratios, but this decrease ceased in the burnt plot in the third year. Grazing also reduced plant cover. Crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF and digestible dry matter (DDM) content did not vary significantly over the experimental period. CP and DDM increased, NDF decreased and ADF did not change in the development plots. Overall, significant differences were not observed in GDM yield and nutritional values due to development efforts (pulling out, burning and cutting). (4) Conclusions: However, cutting is difficult over stony and rough terrain and pulling out creates erosion on sloping surfaces. Therefore, burning is recommended over the entire rangeland and burning or pulling out is recommended over smooth terrain for the temporary control of S. spinosum

Slaughter and carcass characteristics of Gokceada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen suckling kids

Aim of the study was to investigate comparatively the slaughter and carcass characteristics of Gokceada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen suckling kids. Eight suckling male kids at 80-90 days of age from each genotype were used in the study. The kids were collected from dairy goat farms and slaughtered after lairage of an overnight period. Although the kids were at similar age and sex, the slaughter weight and chilled carcass weight of indigenous Gokceada kids were lower than those of Maltese and Turkish Saanen kids (P0.05). While there were significant differences between breeds in terms of muscle, bone and fat weights in half carcass on the side of Turkish Saanen and Maltese kids, the differences between the genotypes were not significant for percentages of muscle, bone and fat. The carcass structure of suckling kids was small and meat production was low, however, they had very little fat in the carcass. It was concluded that Maltese and Turkish Saanen kids were favourable than Gokceada kids in terms of suckling kid meat production