-

The effects of two different diets fed during gestation period on some characteristics of pelt and fur in Karakul(Sarakhs Black Karakul),lambs were determined.
The ewes were divided into two equal groups and placed in two identical pens during gestation period. The animals were weighed once every four weeks and were fed according to their respective diets.
Lambs were weighed at birth and then slaughtered.The pelts were removed and their weight, thickness and surface area were determined on both fresh and dried pelts. Routine methods were employed to dry the pelts. Samples of fur were taken from three areas of shoulder, back and rump of each pelt and fineness and staple length were measured.
Comparing the data obtained in this study and their analysis statistically showed that the effect of ration on surface area and thickness of the fresh pelt or surface area of the dried pelt was statistically significant(P There was no significant difference in fineness and staple length between the two groups. The average fineness and staple length for both groups were 42/’ and 12

mm,respectively.The effect of ration,sex and their interaction on average fur fineness and staple length were not statistically significant.