Some Factors Influencing the Birth Weights of Norduz Kids

Abstract

The present paper was conducted to determine the effects of some environmental factors on Norduz kids raised at Research and Application Farm of Agricultural Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey. For this aim, birth type (single and twin), gender (male and female), dam age at lambing (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6), and birth year (2005, 2006, and 2007), and birth weights (kg) of 155 Norduz kids were recorded. According to results of the present paper, effect of gender factor on birth weight of kids was found to be non-significant, the influences of dam age (P<0.05), birth type (P<0.05), and birth year (P<0.001) on it were found significant. As a result, the birth weight trait provides useful information for early selection criteria in breeding program. Determination and adjustment of the effects of environmental factors influencing it are very important for achieving more accurate genetic parameters and effective application of breeding and selection methods on the trait.