Production properties an reproduction characteristic of Croatian sheep breeds

Ovčarska proizvodnja u Republici Hrvatskoj temelji se na izvornim pasminama ovaca uglavnom kombiniranih proizvodnih osobina (meso, mlijeko, vuna). Stoga je cilj je ovoga rada analizirati proizvodna svojstva i reprodukcijske odlike izvornih hrvatskih pasmina ovaca. Republika Hrvatska ima 9 izvornih pasmina ovaca: dubrovačka ruda, istarska ovca, cigaja, rapska ovca, creska ovca, krčka ovca, paška ovca, lička pramenka i dalmatinska pramenka. Izvorne hrvatske ovce su sitnije, ali skladne i čvrste tjelesne građe (35–50 kg). Istarska ovca je jače tjelesne građe, slična cigaji koja je ujedno i naša najkrupnija izvorna pasmina ovca (75 kg). Indeks janjenja u izvornih hrvatskih pasmina ovaca je oko 1,00, odnosno najveći je u Ličke pramenke 1,02. Najveće leglo ima cigaja (1,19), a najmanje dalmatinska pramenka (1,01). Porodna masa muške janjadi izvornih hrvatskih pasmina ovaca iznosi od 1,70 kg u krčke ovce do 5,27 kg u istarske ovce. Najveći dnevni prirast kao i završnu tjelesnu masu u performance testu ima muška janjadi cigaje (0,350 g i 42,83 kg), dok najmanji dnevni prirast ima janjad paške ovce (0,164 g), a najmanju završnu masu janjad krčke ovce (20,50 kg). Lička pramenka ima najveću prosječnu veličinu stada (182), a najmanju dubrovačka ruda (23). Najnižu plodnost ima rapska ovca (100-120%), a najvišu cigaja (140-180%). Izvorne hrvatske pasmine ovaca se drže radi proizvodnje mesa (janjetine), a jedino paška ovca isključivo radi mužnje odnosno proizvodnje kvalitetnog sira.Sheep production in Croatia is based on indigenous breeds of sheep mainly combined production characteristics (meat, milk, wool). Therefore, the aim of this manuscript is to analyze the production properties and reproductive characteristic of the indigenous Croatian sheep breeds. The Republic of Croatia has 9 indigenous breeds of sheep: Dubrovnik sheep, Istrian sheep, Tsigai, Rab sheep, Cres sheep, Krk sheep, Pag sheep, Lika Pramenka and Dalmatian pramenka. Indigenous Croatian sheep are smaller, but harmonious and strong body composition (35–50 kg). Istrian sheep is stronger body composition, similar Tsigai which is also our heaviest indigenous breed of sheep (75 kg). Lambing index in indigenous Croatian breed of sheep is around 1.00, and the largest is in Lika Pramenka 1.02. The largest litter has Tsigai (1.19) and the smallest Dalmatian pramenka (1.01). Birth weight of male lamb’s indigenous Croatian sheep breeds ranging from 1.70 kg in Krk sheep to 5.27 kg in the Istrian sheep. The largest daily gain as well as the final body weight in the performance test has male lambs Tsigai sheep (0.350 g and 42.83 kg), while the smallest daily gain has lambs, Pag sheep (0.164 g), and the smallest final body weight lambs of Krk sheep (20.50 kg). Lika Pramenka has the largest average herd size (182), while the smallest Dubrovnik sheep (23). The lowest fertility has Rab sheep (100-120%), and the highest Tsigai sheep (140-180%). The indigenous Croatian sheep breeds are kept for meat production (lamb), and the only Pag sheep exclusively for milking and production of quality cheese