Effects of Lactation Stage, Age, Birth Type and Body Weight on Chemical Composotion of Red Karaman Sheep Milk

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the influences of lactation stage, age, birth type and body weight of ewes on chemical properties of milk of Red Karaman sheep reared under extensive conditions. Average milk fat, protein, total solid, lactose and ash percentages of Red Karaman sheep milk were 6.31, 6.23, 17.35, 5.12 and 0.91%, respectively. Effects of lactation stage, age and body weight of ewes were significant (P<0.001; P<0.01) on milk fat and protein contents. The effect of only lactation stage was significant (P<0.01) on total solid. Milk fat and protein contents were lowest (6.20% and 5.72%) at the beginning and highest (6.44% and 6.80%) at the end of lactation stage. Significant positive phenotypic correlations were established between total solids and milk fat (0.87) and between total solids and protein (0.41). Significant negative phenotypic correlations were established between lactose and milk fat (-0.58), between lactose and protein (-0.40) and between lactose and total solid (-0.50). The results of the present study suggest that increase in milk fat was accompanied by a increase in milk protein and total solid toward the end of lactation. The younger and lighter ewes produced more milk fat and protein. Chemical compositions of milk of ewes rearing single lambs were similar to that of ewes rearing twins.