Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Growth Traits in Guilan Province Sheeps

Guilani sheep, with a population 900 thousand heads, produce 16% of meat and 5% of milk in this province. However, no estimation for genetic parameters of various traits in this breed has been provided up to now. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for body weight at birth (BW), three months of age (3MW), six months of age (6MW), average daily gain from birth to three months of age (ADG1) and average daily gain from three months to six months of age (ADG2). D ata were collected during 1994 to 2009 and animal model was used. The estimated heritability for BW, 3MW, 6MW, ADG1 and ADG2 were 0.20±0.045, 0.33±0.063, 0.38±0.075, 0.16±0.039 and 0.15±0.044, respectively. The estimated genetic and environmental correlations between traits ranged from 0.04 to 0.98 and 0.03 to 0.96, respectively.