Phenotypic and genetic parameters for fertility and growth rate in Slovenian autochthonous sheep breed Jezersko-Solcavska

Phenotypic and genetic parameters were studied in Slovenian autochthonous sheep breed Jezersko-Solcavska. The data originate from Slovenian selection program. The number of sheep in Slovenia, especially of autochthonous breeds is increasing due to abandoning of intensive farming on many farms. Another reason are subsidies, favouring low intensity production and autochthonous breeds. The breed is fertile during the whole year. Estimated heritabilities are: 0.078 for birthweight, 0.401 for weight at 60 days and 0.390 for weight at the end of the test at average age of 185.35 days.