Phenotypic Correlations Among Fleece Traits in Norduz and Karakas Sheep

Abstract

In this research, it was aimed to determine the phenotypic correlations among some physical traits of Norduz and Karakas sheep. Animal material was consisted from 2-6 years of age of breeding flocks of 50 Norduz and 50 Karakas ewes. Traits measured were greasy fleece weight, fiber diameter, clean fleece percentage, staple length, single fiber actual length, single fiber natural length, breaking strength, elasticity and the number of crimp in 2.54 cm. There was a positive correlation between clean fleece percentage and fiber diameter, it was insignificant for both genotypes. The estimated phenotypic correlations between staple length and greasy fleece weight was 0.403 (p<0.01) and 0.445 (p<0.01) in Norduz and Karakas sheep, respectively. It was understood that traits like fiber diameter, length, fleece weight and the number of crimp should be evaluated together in breeding studies on fleece yield in Norduz and Karakas sheep. © Medwell Journals, 2011.