The significance of potential correlations between phenotypic pelt qualities and pattern forming pelt characteristics in karakul lambs

Abstract

Abstract by author:

This is a desktop literature study of limited available literature in Namibia and it is aiming to investigate if there are any correlations between hair thickness, hair length and pattern forming characteristics. The pattern forming characteristics consist out of two groups namely the (+) desirable and the (-) undesirable pattern forming traits. The desirable traits consist of S-hair, second development, more and pipes. In the case for undesirable traits attention were given to bands, featheriness, ribbed, strait hair, skin wrinkles, overgrown and indistinct. Than the investigation were to see what importance does these correlations have to contribute to the breeding and selection to improve and increase the quality of pelts. All these characteristics have an influence on the economical value of the pelts whether it is negatively or positively it is having an influence. I also looked at the factors like feeding and gestation that will have an influence on (the phenotypic pelt qualities) hair length and hair thickness. The phenotypic qualities are the physical appearance of the live lamb. The phenotype is the make up of the genotype plus the environment it has and will develop in. My tutor provided some information and the rest were collected from sources at the agricultural library