Temperament and reproductive performance in farmed sable

The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between temperament and reproductive success in farmed sable (Martes zibellina). Experimental material comprised altogether 58 males and 236 females. Temperament was measured by using a stick test. About 85% of matings occurred in July. Most whelpings were in April. Over 80% of young and old males were classified as curious. Number of fearful and aggressive males was small. Among females, the amount of curious animals was much lower compared to males. Every third female was fearful. Temperament did not affect length of the gestation period which averaged 268 +/- 14 days. Gestation period was longest for early breeding females (r = -0.629-, P < 0.001). Aggressive females tended to be less willing to mate than fearful or curious ones. Whelping started latest in aggressive females. Whelping result was poorer in aggressive (0.2 +/- 0.2 kits per breeding female; 2.5 +/- 0.5 kits per whelped female) than in curious 1.2 +/- 0.2; 3.1 +/- 0.2) and fearful females (1.0 +/- 0.3; 3.5 +/- 0.4). Percentage of whelped females was lowest (7.7%) and kit losses highest (28.6%) for aggressive females.