The color transmission in the case of cross breed sheep belonging to the black Karakul variety.

Abstract

The Karakul of Botosani sheep breed raises genuine interest of breeders in North-Eastern Romania. Therefore, pelt quality assessment and studying of the mode of colour transmission are on-going activities for purposes of improvement. Lambs are obtained from the breeding of genitors belonging to the black colour variety. Breeding was based on matching pairs, involving 193 females, taking into account their line of origin and the pursued goal of the improvement. The appraisal method of transmission of colour and characteristics on which the quality of pelts depend was made in the first 24 hours after birth, based on the technical specifications and instructions in the certificate of origin, and productive values. Classification of lambs in relation to productive performances was done on the basis of the total final score. The study was conducted over a period of five generations of lambs obtained in calving seasons between 2010 and 2014. From the crossbreeding analysis of the genitors of black colour variety over several generations, it was established that 98% of the offspring had uniform black colour, but with different shades, and only 2% had other colours. This data allow us to conclude that the black colour specific of the Karakul of Botosani sheep is a dominant type.