Determination of Some Growth and Development Characteristics Between Birth and Twelve Months Age in Yerli Kara Cattle

This study was carried out for the purpose of determination of some growth and development characteristics in the period between birth and twelve months of age in Yerli Kara cattle. The animal material of the study was composed of 104 Yerli Kara calves located in Ankara province. In the study, live weight, withers height, rump height, chest girth, body length, chest depth and front wrist girth values at birth were found as 14.85 kg, 58.00 cm, 60.10 cm, 54.41 cm, 49.36 cm, 24.25 cm and 7.40 cm respectively. The same values at the age of three months were found as 49.37 kg, 73.95 cm, 76.84 cm, 83.45 cm, 79.14 cm, 35.45 cm and 9.46 cm respectively. Values at the age of six months in these calves were detected as 81.22 kg, 87.29 cm, 90.35 cm, 99.36 cm, 92.93 cm, 42.79 cm and 10.58 cm respectively. Values at the age of twelve-month were determined as 97.29 kg, 92.15 cm, 95.55 cm, 106.22 cm, 98.07 cm, 45.26 cm and 10.74 cm in the same order. Average daily gains values were found 0.360 kg in the period between birth and 3 months of age, 0.333 kg from 3 to 6 months, and 0.102 kg from 6 to 12 months. The results showed that the body measurements of animals in this study are generally lower than the values reported in literature. Therefore, a selection program considering this fact will be useful for the development of native Yerli Kara cattle maintained at the farm operations of Ankara province.