Evaluation of Socioeconomic Status, Animal Nutrition, Management Preferences and Reproduction Parameters of Sheep Breeding Enterprises in the Village

This study is based on face-to-face surveys conducted with 42 sheep farm owners operating in the villages of Pınarkaya, Büyükkoraş, Kavaközü, and Küçükkoraş in the Ayrancı district of Karaman province. The aim of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic status, nutritional habits, yield traits, and reproductive performance of these enterprises. The findings indicated that the average age of the farm owners was 52.5 years, and 100% of them continued this profession as their father's. However, only 33% of the farm owners were determined to continue this profession. Brucella zoonosis was detected in 26.2% of the farm owners. The average number of sheep on the farms was 207.8 head, the lactation period was 130 days, and the average milk yield per lactation was 71.4 kg. The average weaning age of lambs was 113.3 days. All farms fed pasture and kept their sheep on pasture for an average of 222 days. All farms were satisfied with the pasture quality but did not take any initiative to improve it. Furthermore, only 14.3% of the farms supplemented pasture with feed. All farms used the natural mating method for breeding, with one ram for every 30 sheep, and an average lamb mortality rate of 16.8%. In conclusion, ensuring the sustainability of sheep farming requires educational programs on modern feeding and reproductive practices, alongside structural incentives to encourage the younger generation to return to the sector.