Index

Description

A medium-sized sheep with long and strong back on long muscular legs. Polled head with convex nose profile and large long lop ears. The tail is long and woolly. Animals are usually white; a brown type (described as "black") also exists. They have a dark rim around the eyes and markings on the ears.

General and History

The breed dvevloped from Zaupel and Bergamasca, influenced by Paduan. Animals were already sold to Austria and Bavaria at the end of the 19th century as "Seeländer". Since 1962, crossbreeding and decrease of pure-bred stock. Herdbook foundation in 1983.The Animals are described as tough, they are well adapted to pastures in mountain regions ans production conditions in Slovenia. Shearing of the miced wool is done twice per year. Non-seasonal with lambin interval of 261 days. Age at first lambing ist 13-17 month. The are characterised by their good healt and receive fast after lambing.

Distribution in the past and today

Jezersko-solcavska ovca is found throughout Slovenia, with main distributionarea in Jezersko and Solcava in North Slovenia (Stein Alps).

Utilization

It is mainly suited for lamb production in the Alpine and prealpine region where it stays on Alpine pastures in the summer. Its wool is also used.

Keeping

During summer on alpine pastures

Performance

Body weight: 80 - 100kg (m), 55 - 65kg (w)
Withers height: 65 -70cm (m), 60 - 65cm (w)
Fleece weight: 2.5 -3.0kg (m), 2.0 -2.5kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 178%

Processing and products

lamb production

Literature

Schafrassen der Alpen, Antje Feldmann, Ursula Bietzker, Dr. Christian Mendel, Herausgeber: Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. - GEH, Deutschland, Sept. 2005
Günter Jaritz: Seltene Nutztiere der Alpen, 7000 Jahre geprägte Kulturlandschaft, Verlag Anton Pustet, 2014