Plasmacytos försämrar avelsresultatet och valparnas tidiga tillväxt hos mink = Plasmacytosis impairs breeding result and early kit growth in the mink

vKirjasto Aj-

Kuiviketurpeen soveltuvuus turkistarhoilla kertyvän sonnan ja virtsan käsittelyyn

vokKirjasto Aj-

Preferences of farmed blue foxes for platforms, nestbox and cage floor

A preference test system was devised to assess the preferences of farm-raised, juvenile blue foxes for six various types of resting platforms, including nestbox roof, and for nestbox and cage floor. The results showed that platform use was low since the test foxes preferred the cage floor. The amount of previous individual platform usage did not affect preference. However, foxes originating from groups with a high amount of previous platform use also had the highest amount of platform usage in the test situation. Of all the platforms, the nestbox roof was preferred the most. Although the location of the platform in the present test situation was found to affect preference, it was difficult to finally separate the real effects of platform location and type. No relationship was found between temperature and use of the platforms or nestbox. On the basis of the present results we may conclude that platforms are not actually necessary for foxes during winter period

Effect of feeding level during autumn and winter on breeding weight and result in single and pair-housed minks

The effect of feeding intensity (standard vs. restricted ration) and housing system (males and females kept singly vs. animals kept in male-female pairs) on breeding body condition and whelping was studied in farm standard mink (Mustela vison). Dietary interventions lasted from 20 September to 31 January. The maximum body weights of minks fed the standard ration were higher than those fed the restricted ration, and, the weights of animals housed in pairs were higher than those of animals housed singly. Daily feed intake was only slightly lower for singly-housed minks. Singly-housed females came on heat slightly later than females housed with a male. No statistically significant differences were found in whelping success due to feeding intensity or housing system. Whelping results tended, however, to be best for the females on restricted feeding and housed with a male (4.1 kits/mated female), and poorest for the females fed the standard ration but housed singly (3.4 kits/mated female), The conventional housing set-up, in which males and females are housed in pairs, is therefore recommended, but feeding from autumn onwards should be restricted

Seasonal changes in platform use by adult farmbred silver foxes (Vulpes Vulpes)

Seasonal changes in platform use (Wooden U-type platform, area 3090 cm2) were studied during one year in adult farmbred silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) by daytime scan sampling observations and 24-h video recordings. Platform use was found to be lowest during the coldest part of the year (winter, late autumn) and highest in mid-summer (July). The seasonal pattern in platform use obtained by the scan samplings was in agreement with that obtained by video recordings. Platform use was sex-related being significantly (p < 0.001) higher in females than males. Circadian distribution of platform use was rather similar for both sexes. Hourly use was highest from 4 to 5 a.m. and lowest at about 8-9 a.m. when farm work started. Platforms were mostly used for sleeping and the least for jumping. The animals’ needs for rest, observation and seclusion required by the European Convention were met fairly well by the presently studied platform type. This is demonstrated by of its rather high amount of general use, and because it functioned appropriately as a place for observation and rest. Based on the present data, wooden U-type platforms can be recommended for practical farming purposes, particularly outside the winter period

Seasonal and circadian changes in activity rates of adult farm blue foxes

The present paper reports systematic activity rates obtained from year-round video recordings of farmbred blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) housed singly in conventional wire-mesh cages (107 cm wide x 110 long x 70 cm high). Subjects were 9 males and 13 females. Mean whole-year activity rates were slightly higher in males (394 ± 116 min/24 h; mean ± SD) than females (349 ± 111 min/24 h). Significant (

Comparison between the use of open and walled platforms by juvenile blue foxes (Alopex lagopus)

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