The biometrics of Mazandaran Zel sheep as unique sheep breed of Iran

This study was conducted to register and introduce the biometric indicators of the Zel sheep on some flock of stockbreeder who were inhabit Mazandaran villages. The live weight, body biometric, milk and its composition, and fleece of 200 ewes and 20 rams was recorded during one year randomly. Based on results of ewe biometric traits, these values were recorded; live weight 33.8±4.78 kg, chest circumference 82.6±7.01 cm, body length 41.4±3.76 cm, body height 63.8±4.69 cm, and tail 24.5±4.02 cm. the values of milk daily quantity, fat, protein, and lactose were 700±170.3, 4.3±1.56, 4.9±0.59, and 4.7±0.49 respectively. The recorded traits of ewe fleece weight, staple, diameter and efficiency were; 1700±0.30 gr, 10±2.33 cm, 34.7±2.68 mic, and 64.2±5.78 percent. The lambs birth weight, weaning weight, and daily gain weight to weaning for male and female mean, were 2.9 kg, 13.100 kg, and 130 gr respectively. The live weight, chest circumference, body length, body height, and tail length of Rams were 6505 kg, 88, 50.5, 65.4 and 22 cm respectively.