Determination of Reproductive Performance, Milk Yield, and Lamb Growth Characteristics of Pure Chios Sheep Raised under Semi-Intensive Conditions in Cyprus

This study was conducted to determine the reproductive performance, milk yield, and growth characteristics of lambs from Chios sheep raised under semi-intensive conditions in Cyprus. In Chios sheep, the lambing rate, lamb yield per ewe lambed, and multiple birth rate were calculated as 90%, 2.13%, and 88.9%, respectively. In ewes in their second lactation period, daily milk yield, lactation length, and total lactation milk yield were determined as 0.9 liters, 234 days, and 217.7 liters, respectively. Birth weight, body weight (at 30, 60, and 90 days), growth rates, and survival rates of Chios lambs were assessed. Survival rates were 98.95%, 97.91%, and 97.91% at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. Male lambs had consistently higher body weights (4.50, 8.70, 14.13, and 27.58 kg) than females (4.15, 8.19, 13.48, and 26.73 kg) from birth to 90 days and exhibited greater growth rates throughout. Single-born lambs showed higher growth rates than multiple-born lambs during all growth stages. The results of this study indicate that the reproductive performance, milk yield, and lamb growth characteristics of Chios sheep raised in large flocks under semi-intensive conditions are very similar to those reported in the literature for Chios sheep raised in small flocks under intensive conditions. It is recommended that Chios sheep breeding be expanded in Cyprus in larger flocks to meet the milk production requirements for Halloumi cheese production and the demand for lamb meat.

Cite this article as: İsfendiyaroğlu, M., & Abdourhamane, İ. M. (2026). Determination of reproductive performance, milk yield, and lamb growth characteristics of pure chios sheep raised under semi-intensive conditions in Cyprus. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0006, doi: 10.5152/actavet.2026.26006.