Phenotypic characteristics of Turkish mules

Abstract

This study was realized to define some phenotypic characteristics of Turkish mules raised in Balikesir, Hakkari, Icel, Mardin, Ordu, Sirnak and Van provinces of Turkey. A total of 236 (121 males & 115 females) mules in four age groups (3-5, 6-7, 8-9 & 10-30 years) were included in the study. Measurements of different morphological traits of mules were: withers height (130.6 cm), height at rump (130.7 cm), body length (133.9 cm), heart girth circumference (149.6 cm), chest depth (59.7 cm), cannon circumference (16.5 cm) and head length (55.6 cm).The distributions of color were: bay 42.8%, white 23.7%, black 16.5%, chestnut 7.6%, mouse gray 7.6%, buckskin 0.8% and isabelline 0.8%. There was no significant difference for morphological dimensions except the traits of cannon circumference and head length being higher ((P<0.05, (P<0.01) in males than in the females. There was no difference in the body sizes among different age groups of mules. After two years of age, however, there was minor growth in the Turkish mules. © 2012 Friends Science Publishers