Relationships Among Udder Traits and Milk Production in Unimproved Awassi Sheep

Udder characteristics and their relation to milk production were studied in a flock of unimproved Awassi sheep (n = 583) raised in G?zl? State Farm. All udder traits were recorded following the onset of residual suckling regime (34 ? 5 days) concurrently with the first milk recording (41 ? 5 days). Age effects were not significant for all traits. Udder type affected only front udder depth (P< 0.05). Effects of ewes lambing date were not significant for all traits except for the left teat length.Milk production traits were not affected by udder types. Positive and significant phenotypic correlations were observed among commercial milk yield and udder traits (P< 0.01 and P< 0.05). The phenotypic correlation coefficients among udder traits were varied from – 0.08 to 0.95. Four udder types were determined. Cylindirical udder with high and horizontal-set teats was the most common udder type (74.18 %). Udder type had a significant effect on mastitis frequencies (P< 0.01). Udder with oblique and high-set teats was found to be inclined to mastitis.