Exterior and production characteristics of brač sheep
Keywords:
Brač sheep, Dalmatian Pramenka, morphometry, productionAbstract
The Brač sheep is a locally adapted strain within the Dalmatian Pramenka breed, shaped by the specific environmental conditions of the Croatian island of Brač. Despite its cultural and agricultural significance, this sheep strain has not yet been fully described in scientific literature. This study aimed to record the exterior and productive traits of the Brač sheep to support its recognition and conservation as an autochthonous genetic resource.
A total of 65 adult ewes, 13 adult rams, 12 male lambs and nine female lambs from nine flocks were included in the study. The animals were kept primarily on pasture and used either for meat production or as dual-purpose, milk-meat animals. Body weight and seven morphometric traits were recorded. Measurements were conducted using a scale, Lydtin stick, measuring tape, and callipers. Lactation yield was assessed in five ewes after weaning of lambs. Milk was measured every 30 days until drying-off, and total yield was calculated using the Fleischmann formula.
The average body weight of ewes was 41.08 kg, and that of rams was 54.55 kg. Rams were larger than ewes in all measured exterior traits. Withers height averaged 61.94 cm in ewes and 68.04 cm in rams, while pelvic height was 62.85 cm and 68.00 cm, respectively. The most notable variation was observed in pelvic width, with a coefficient of variation of 15.71% in rams and 8.11% in ewes. Average milk production during the lactation period was 68.7 litres per ewe. Average litter size was one lamb, with all ewes delivering singletons.
The Brač sheep is characterized by a small body frame and modest productive performance, which are comparable to those of other Croatian Pramenka-type breeds.
References
GAMULIN, J., VIDOVIĆ, I. (1975): Etnografski prikaz otoka Brača. Narodna umjetnost 11/12, 463–494.
JURKOVIĆ, D., PAVIČIĆ, J., IVKIĆ, Z., PAŠALIĆ, D., ŠPEHAR, M., SOLIĆ, D., MOLNAR, M., VRANIĆ, I., STRUČIĆ, D., BOŽIĆ, N. (2021): Označavanje, kontrola proizvodnosti i procjena uzgojnih vrijednosti ovaca i koza. Hrvatska agencija za poljoprivredu i hranu, Zagreb, Croatia.
KEČKEMET, D. (1998): Brač: vodič kroz povijest i kulturnu baštinu. Brački zbornik d.o.o., Supetar, Croatia.
KURSCHNER, Z. (1937): O ovčarstvu i sirarstvu na otoku Braču. Gospodarski list 3, 40–42.
MIOČ, B., PAVIĆ, V., BARAĆ, Z. (1998): Odlike eksterijera ličke pramenke. Stočarstvo 52, 93–98.
MIOČ, B., PAVIĆ, V., IVANKOVIĆ, A., BARAĆ, Z., VNUČEC, I., ČOKLJAT, Z. (2004): Odlike eksterijera i polimorfizmi proteina krvi krčke ovce. Stočarstvo 58, 331–341.
MIOČ, B., PAVIĆ, V., BARAĆ, Z., SUŠIĆ, V., PRPIĆ, Z., VNUČEC, I., MULC, D. (2006): Vanjština rapske ovce. Stočarstvo 60, 163–171.
MIOČ, B., PAVIĆ, V., BARAĆ, Z., VNUČEC, I., PRPIĆ, Z., MULC, D., ŠPEHAR, M. (2011): Program uzgoja ovaca u Republici Hrvatskoj. Hrvatski savez uzgajivača ovaca i koza, Zagreb, Croatia.
PAVIĆ, V., MIOČ, B., BARAĆ, Z., VNUČEC, I., SUŠIĆ, V., ANTUNAC, N., SAMARDŽIJA, D. (2005): Vanjština paške ovce. Stočarstvo 59, 83–90.
PAVIĆ, V., MIOČ, B., SUŠIĆ, V., BARAĆ, Z., VNUČEC, I., PRPIĆ, Z., ČOKLJAT, Z. (2006): Vanjština creske ovce. Stočarstvo 60, 3–11.
PRPIĆ, Z., ZORKO, J., VNUNEC, I., MULC, D. (2019): Porodna masa i odlike rasta muške janjadi hrvatskih izvornih pasmina ovaca. Proceedings of the 54th Croatian and 14th International Symposium on Agriculture, Vodice, Croatia, 501–505.
SUŠIĆ, V., EKERT KABALIN, A., ŠTOKOVIĆ, I., PAVIČIĆ, Ž., MIOČ, B., PAVIĆ, V., BARAĆ, Z. (2008): Paška ovca: učestalost janjenja i porodna masa janjadi tijekom zimsko-proljetne sezone. Proceedings of the XVI Mediterranean Federation for Health and Production of Ruminants, Zadar, Croatia, 521–525.
VOJNOVIĆ, F. (1991): Suvremena demogeografska obilježja srednjodalmatinskih otočnih općina. MSc Thesis, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
ZDANOVSKI, N. (1947): Preradba ovčjeg mlijeka na otoku Braču. Stočarstvo 1, 34–36.
