Muhammet Hanifi Selvi

Bu çalışmada atların kendi aralarındaki hiyerarşinin kurulması, davranış ve verime yansıması ile çiftlik düzeni üzerine etkilerinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Özel bir at çiftliğinde 53 (1-20 yaş aralığında) İngiliz atı üzerinde yürütülen çalışmada; atlarda hiyerarşi üzerine etkili faktörler incelenmiştir. İncelenen veriler ışığında; atların kendi aralarındaki hiyerarşinin kurulması, davranış ve verime yansıması ile çiftlik düzeni üzerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Atlar padokta izlenerek araştırmada incelenecek davranışlar kayıt altına alınmıştır. Çalışma 5 gün yürütüldü. Sabah ve öğleden sonra olmak üzere 2 kayıt alınarak toplamda 10 defa kayıt alındı. Her kayıtta 10 at takip edilmiş olup, toplamda 100 su içme ve 100 yonca yeme davranışı kayıt altına alındı. Çalışmaya dahil edilen kısrak ve taylarda takip edilen özelliklere ait tanımlayıcı bilgiler: 1. olarak su içme, 1. olarak yonca yeme, padoktan tavlaya alınma zamanında kapı açılınca en önde gelmedir. Çalışma sonucunda atlarda hiyerarşi üzerinde yaş ve kullanım amacının istatistiki olarak çok önemli (p˂0,001) derecede farklı olduğu; sağlık, gebelik, yanında tayı bulunması ve kızgınlık durumunun ise istatistiki olarak önemli derecede farklı olduğu (p˂0,05) tespit edilmiştir. Buna karşın atlarda donun hiyerarşide istatistiki olarak önemsiz olduğu görülmektedir. Çalışmada tespit edilen etkili faktörlerin hiyerarşi ile birlikte çiftlik düzeni üzerine de etkili olduğu düşünülmektedir. Kullanım amacına göre atların su, yonca ve padok kapısına ilk gelme ortalamaları en yüksek damızlık atlarda görülmüştür (2.83±0.434, 2.83±0.432 ve 3.30±0.424). Atların hiyerarşik düzenleri iyi bilinerek, damızlık seçimi, yarış karakteri ve verim düzeyi hakkında fikir edinilebileceği düşünülmüştür. Bu çalışmada, atların sosyal yaşamlarındaki hiyerarşik düzeni araştırılmış bu sayede meslektaşlara ve at yetiştiricilerine faydalı olması amaçlanmıştır.

Bu çalışma, farklı biyolojik ve çevresel faktörlerin eşeklerde süt verimi üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada 130 dişi eşek üzerinde ırk, yaş, bölge, don ve yem katkı maddesi kullanımı faktörleri değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen verilere göre süt verimi üzerinde ırk, yaş, don rengi ve yem katkı maddesi kullanımının istatistiksel olarak anlamlı etkileri olduğu belirlenmiştir (p0.05). Merzifon ırkı eşeklerin süt verimi, Anadolu eşeklerine göre anlamlı düzeyde yüksek bulunmuştur. Genç yaş grubundaki (3–8 yaş) eşekler, yaşlı gruba göre daha yüksek süt üretimi göstermiştir. Koyu donlu eşeklerin süt verimi boz donlulara kıyasla daha fazladır. Ayrıca yem katkı maddesi kullanılan grupta süt veriminin belirgin biçimde arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, genetik yapı, yaş ve beslenme koşullarının eşek sütü üretiminde önemli rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Bu bulgular, süt üretiminde verimliliği artırmak için ırk seçimi, yaş yönetimi ve dengeli besleme uygulamalarının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Accurate determination of morphometric body measurements is essential for monitoring growth, evaluating production traits, and supporting selection decisions in cattle breeding. However, traditional measurement methods require direct contact with animals, which may increase labor requirements, negatively affect animal welfare, and pose safety risks for operators. This study evaluated the relationship and agreement between traditional tape measurements and smartphone-camera-based morphometric measurements in cattle. A total of 100 cattle raised in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye, including 50 Holstein and 50 Simmental animals, were included in the study. Withers height, body length, rump height, and forechest width were measured using both conventional tools and a smartphone-camera-based method. Regression analyses demonstrated strong linear relationships between methods, particularly for body length and withers height (R² = 0.564–0.961). Bland–Altman analysis revealed small but significant systematic differences between methods, with camera-based measurements generally producing slightly higher values than tape measurements. The strongest agreement was observed for body length measurements, whereas wider limits of agreement were detected for anatomically complex traits, such as rump height and forechest width. Although the findings support the potential applicability of smartphone-based morphometric measurements as a practical and contactless alternative under field conditions, measurements were obtained only from a single lateral view, which should be considered an important methodological limitation. Future studies using multi-view or three-dimensional imaging systems may further improve measurement accuracy and agreement.

Bu bölümde at yetiştiriciliğinin tarihsel gelişimi ve önemi ele alınmış; atın evcilleştirilmesiyle birlikte insanlık tarihindeki yeri değerlendirilmiştir. Atların tarım, ulaşım, savaş ve sportif faaliyetlerde üstlendikleri roller incelenmiş, özellikle Türk kültürü ve tarihinde atın sosyo-kültürel ve ekonomik önemi vurgulanmıştır. Ayrıca atların davranışsal özellikleri, doğal yürüyüş şekilleri ve sonradan kazandırılan yürüyüşler açıklanarak atların biyolojik ve fonksiyonel kapasiteleri ortaya konulmuştur. Bölüm, modern at yetiştiriciliğine giriş niteliğinde olup, atların biyolojisi, davranışı ve kullanım amaçları temelinde genel bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. This chapter addresses the historical development and significance of horse breeding, emphasizing the role of horse domestication in human history. The contribution of horses to agriculture, transportation, warfare, and sports is examined, with particular attention to their socio-cultural and economic importance in Turkish history. Furthermore, basic behavioral characteristics of horses, natural gaits, and learned movements are described to illustrate their biological and functional capacities. As an introductory chapter, it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding modern horse breeding based on biological, behavioral, and functional perspectives.

Bu bölümde atların kökeni ve evrimsel süreçleri dikkate alınarak dünya genelinde yetiştirilen at ırkları sistematik biçimde sınıflandırılmıştır. At ırkları; morfolojik özellikleri, kullanım amaçları ve karakter yapıları esas alınarak doğu–batı, ağır–hafif–midilli ile soğukkanlı, sıcakkanlı ve ılıkkanlı gruplar altında incelenmiştir. Başlıca dünya at ırklarının fenotipik ve fonksiyonel özellikleri açıklanmış, Türkiye’de yetiştirilen yerli at ırklarına yer verilmiştir. Ayrıca atlarda bakım, barınak koşulları ve farklı yaş ile fizyolojik dönemlere göre besleme ilkeleri ele alınmıştır. Tay, kısrak ve aygırların gebelik, laktasyon ve çalışma dönemlerindeki beslenme gereksinimleri bilimsel temelde açıklanmıştır. This chapter presents a systematic classification of horse breeds worldwide based on their origin, evolutionary background, morphological characteristics, functional traits, and temperament. Horse breeds are evaluated under Eastern–Western types, heavy–light–pony groups, and cold-blooded, hot-blooded, and warm-blooded categories. The phenotypic and functional characteristics of major international horse breeds are described, along with an overview of native Turkish horse breeds. In addition, the chapter addresses horse management practices, housing conditions, and feeding principles according to age, physiological status, and production level. Nutritional requirements of foals, mares, and stallions are discussed with particular emphasis on pregnancy, lactation, and working periods, providing scientifically based guidelines for sustainable and healthy horse husbandry.

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.

Archaeological and genetic evidence reveals that dogs were domesticated around 12,000 Before Christ, followed by the inclusion of species such as goats, sheep, cattle, and cats in human life. With the Industrial Revolution, the need for animal labor decreased, but domesticated species like cats and dogs retained their importance. Today, factors such as inadequate sterilization practices, animal abandonment, and migration from rural areas to urban centers are leading to an increase in the stray animal population. This study examined public attitudes toward stray animals and proposed solutions, comparing the findings with international practices. According to the survey results, respondents consider adoption (48.2 %) and sterilization (31.1 %) as the primary solutions. This trend aligns with integrated dog population management strategies adopted by organizations such as the World Animal Protection Organization and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control . Successfully implemented worldwide, seize-neuter-vaccine-return programs, rabies vaccination, public awareness campaigns, and adoption campaigns offer both ethical and sustainable solutions. Examples from India, Morocco, Nepal, and various European countries demonstrate that sterilization- vaccination-based approaches yield more lasting results than mass culling. Consequently, the adoption of a One Health approach in managing stray animal populations in Türkiye, the expansion of sterilization and vaccination programs, responsible ownership practices supported by legal regulations, and increased community- local government collaboration are recommended. The findings reveal the necessity of developing local policies in line with global welfare standards.

This study was conducted in livestock farms in Merkez, Karakoyunlu, Aralık and Tuzluca districts of Igdir province. As part of the study, 280 farm owners were personally interviewed using a questionnaire. Based on the data obtained, it was found that the average milking time of calves after birth was 93.3±2.8 minutes. The average amount of milk the calves received per day was 3.3±0.1 kg. The average weaning age of the calves was determined to be 4.0±0.1 months. The average time for handing over the cows to the bull after heat detection was determined to be 9.6±0.3 hours. The average insemination time of the cows after birth (artificial insemination method/bull) was determined to be 66.0±1.1 days. The average number of artificial inseminations and bull inseminations for a pregnancy was 1.7±0.1 and 1.4±0.1 times respectively

In this study, it was aimed to determine the differences in terms of race, age, and gender by examining the hemogram and biochemical parameters of healthy thoroughbred racehorses brought to the equine hospital for routine examination. The study material comprised 86 healthy horses (51 Thoroughbred and 35 Arabian Horses) of both genders (31 female and 55 male). The horses were divided into three groups according to their ages (3 years and younger, 4 years, and 5 years and older). Blood samples were analyzed on the hemogram and biochemistry devices after sampling. There was no statistically significant difference in the parameters examined between the breeds (p>0.05). Hematologically, it was determined that white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) values were at the highest level in those aged 3 and younger, and neutrophil (NEU), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and MCH values were at the highest level in 5 years and older. Biochemically, it was determined that aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (ALB), and phosphors (P) values were at the highest level in those aged 3 and younger, and total protein (TP) values were at the highest level in those aged 5 and older. In terms of gender, WBC, red blood cell (RBC), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RDW, AST, ALP, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), LDH, Creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (CREA), ALB, and P values were higher in males compared to females, while MCV, MCH, Mean platelet volume (MPV), and TP values were higher in females compared to males. As a result, although the Thoroughbred and Arabian Racehorses examined in the study were healthy, there might be significant differences in hemogram and biochemistry values in terms of age and gender.