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In this study, it was aimed to determine the transition possibilities of the extensive small ruminant farms in Balıkesir Province, located in the Marmara Region of Turkey, to organic livestock farming by examining their structural characteristics. For this purpose, all the districts of Balıkesir province were taken into consideration, and 603 enterprises selected by purposeful sampling method in 270 neighborhoods, where extensive sheep and goat breeding were carried out, constituted the material of the research. Surveys were used to collect data regarding the socio-demographic characteristics of the farm owners, their knowledge, and approaches to animal breeding, feeding, and health practices. According to the results of the research, 87.40% of the farm owners stated that they have been farming for more than 15 years, and 79.93% stated that they are members of a producer organization. It was reported that no disease was found in 82.22% of sheep farms and 78.43% of goat farms. The animals can benefit from grazing areas throughout the year in 74.44% of the sheep farms and 77.12% of the goat farms. Inseminations in sheep and goats are carried out via natural mating. Lambs/kids suckle their mothers for about 3-4 months. In some vicinities of the districts of Dursunbey, Ivrindi, and the Island of Marmara, the sheep and goat breeding is carried out mainly via native breeds and their cross-breeds. The small ruminant breeding carried out in these vicinities shows a great similarity to the organic system. Supports for the small ruminant farms in the mentioned vicinities in organic forage production will ensure that Balıkesir, which is among the provinces that have a reputation in animal production, will also be a pioneer in organic animal production. In fact, it was determined that more than 70% of the farmers had a positive view of the transition to organic animal farming. However, in addition to technical knowledge and support for organic livestock farming, farmers should be encouraged to be organized in organic livestock farming.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of parity and lambing type on body condition score (BCS), live weight of ewes (LWE), daily milk yield (DMY), lambs growth performance and udder measurement of ewes during first 3 months of lactation in Bandirma ewes. Bandirma ewes (78) with healthy udders and their lambs (117 heads) were used. BCS of ewes was affected significantly by lambing types at first and third months of lactation, while lambing types were not significant in second month of lactation. Parity of ewes did not significantly affected BCS except third month of lactation which was significantly affected by parity. Effects of lambing types and parity of ewes were significant on BCS at first and third month of lactation. Live weight change of ewes was affected significantly by parity, while lambing types were not significant at first 3 months of lactation. There was a significant effect of parity on average daily milk yield at early lactation stage. Also lambing type had significant effect on DMY at first 2 months of lactation. DMY at third month of lactation were not affected by lambing types. Parity affected lambs growth performance in the first three months of lactation. No significant differences between lambing type and parity of ewes in udder measurement, except udder circumference (UC) measure which was significantly affected by parity and lambing types. The effects of parity of ewes were significant on udder circumference and udder width while the other udder traits were not significant. The effects of birth type of ewes were significant on udder width while the other udder traits were not significant. The positive and significant correlations were observed between udder circumference and udder width and daily milk yield in Bandirma sheep. Significant positive phenotypic correlations were determined between lambs live weight (LLW) and LWE, BCS and DMY, LLW and LWE, DMY and LWE. The results suggested that early stage of lactation of ewe’s can be feed supplemented with high energy or high protein for increasing milk production. The control of these physiological stages of ewe may be improved BSC and DMY, also growth performance of lambs. Hence, we recommend that early stage of lactation performance and udder measurements of ewes are to be taken into consideration for selection programme of Bandirma sheep.