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A traditional fox cage was furnished with both activating environmental enrichments (EE) (a bone, a scratching plate, a hockey buck, a ceiling rope and a wall rope and straw) and EEs enabling resting or observation (a wire-mesh platform and a top nest box). The aim was to find out to which extent blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) utilized these EEs, and to collect practical experiences of the EEs. The experimental animals were 12 adult blue fox vixens that had been housed in cages furnished with a platform and a bone for about 1.5 years before they were transferred to the multi-enriched cages. The frequency and duration of the active contacts with the EEs were measured with continuous recording on Days 1, 2, 7 and 16 after the transfer, with three hours (13:30-14:30, 18:00-19:00 and 2:00-3:00) on each day. The total use of the EEs was 15 times per hour and more than 20% of the time. For most EEs both the time spent in contact and the frequency of contacts with the EEs declined steeply after Day 1, reflecting a novelty effect of the EEs. This decline was not so evident for the platform, top nest box and wall rope. These three EEs were also the ones used the most by the foxes. The ropes were badly damaged during the experiments, whereas other EEs remained in good condition. Explorativity markedly increased when animals were transferred from home cage to enriched cages. Explorativity remained high during entire study period when foxes were kept in enriched enrichment. Furthermore, it remained high also after transferring of animals back to home cages. Capture reaction was quite similar in home and enriched cages. The amount of stereotypy varied among recording days (P < 0.05). When foxes were transferred from home cages to multi-enriched cages, no change was found in the amount stereotypy during Days 1 and 2. Thereafter, the amount of stereotypy showed a declined trend. Stereotypy tended to increase when foxes were transferred back to home cages. Our results indicated that foxes used readily the opportunities for more diverse behaviours.

The aim was to clarify effects of ad libitum and restricted feeding with Ca:P ratios on foot welfare in blue foxes. Experiment was started at weaning on August 6 th and finished at pelting on November 26 th , 2013. Treatments were: 1) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1; 2) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 2.9:1; 3) restricted feeding Ca:P ratio control level; 4) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1; 5) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P-ratio 2.9:1; 6) ad libitum feeding Ca:P ratio control level. Body growth variables, feed intake and welfare variables were measured. The behaviour was video recorded. Foreleg carpal joint angle as an indicator of leg weakness and the fox's ability to move were evaluated. During weeks 32-35 and 37-47 animals from restricted groups ate 60%-65% and 67%-68% of the given feed, respectively. Body weight gain was faster in foxes fed ad libitum than with a restricted diet (P < 0.001). At pelting, waistline and neck circumference were significantly (P < 0.001) larger in ad libitum groups compared to restricted ones. The body condition score was significantly (P < 0.001) larger for ad libitum animals. Body length was greater for ad libitum than for restricted groups (P < 0.05). Significant differences were not found in body size variables between Ca:P ratios. During the course of experiment, bending of carpal joints increased in each group (P < 0.001). Most bended joints were found at final scoring. Significant differences were noted in the angle of joint between ad libitum and restricted groups (P < 0.05). Pronounced difficulties in locomotor activity were not found. Differences between the groups were slight in stick, floorball and capture tests. No pain reaction was evident during sensitivity test. Foot welfare problems were multi-factorial problems.

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Sinikettujen koko on kasvanut viime vuosina huomattavasti. Koon kasvaessa myös jalkojen heikkous ja jalkaongelmat ovat lisääntyneet. Tämän kokeen tarkoituksena oli selvittää ruokinnan voimakkuuden (rajoitettu vs vapaa) ja Ca:P.suhteen (1.5.1 vs 2:1 vs2.9.1) vaikutusta siniketun jalkaterveyteen. Kokeen aikana mitattiin eläinten kasvuun ja hyvinvointiin liittyvät muuttujat sekä rehunkulutus. Eläinten liikuntavaikeudet ja taipuneisuus arvioitiin. Etujaloista otettiin röntgenkuvat. Kokeessa onnistuttiin tuottamaan painon suhteen kaksi hyvin erilaista ryhmää; (1) lihavat, vapaasti ruokitut, ja (2) selvästi hoikemmat, rajoitetusti ruokitut. Vapaasti ruokittujen kettujen kasvukäyrät olivat selvästi rajoitetuista poikkeavat. Samoin merkittävät erot löytyivät vyötärön ja niskan ympärysmitoissa, pituudessa ja kuntoindeksissä. Ruokinnan voimakkuus vaikutti liikkumisvaikeuteen: vapaasti ruokituilla oli enemmän liikkumisvaikeuksia. Mitä painavampi kettu oli, sitä suuremmat olivat liikuntavaikeudet. Liikkumisvaikeuksia oli enemmän niillä ketuilla, joilla oli enemmän taipuneisuutta jaloissa. Ruokinnan voimakkuus ei vaikuttanut jalkojen taipuneisuuteen. Jalkojen taipuneisuus oli suurinta alhaisen Ca:P-suhteen dieetillä (1.5.1) ja vähäisin korkealla Ca:P dieetillä (2.9:1). Röntgenkuvat eivät paljastaneet jaloissa mitään hälyttävää. Luustossa (värttinäluu, kyynärluu) ei näkynyt poikkeavaa eikä myöskään nivelissä (rannenivel, kyynärnivel). Jalkojen Taipuneisuus arvioitiin asteikolla 1-5, missä 1 oli täysin terve ja 5 oli erittäin taipunut. Tässä kokeessa löytyi kettuja, joiden taipuneisuus oli 2,3 tai 4. Siis ääripäitä ei löytynyt. Ketun pituuskasvu loppuu syyskuun lopulla. Lihomisvaihe ajoittuu loka-marraskuulle. Näyttää siltä, että jalkojen taipuminen näin lyhyellä ajanjaksolla ei ole kovinkaan suuri hyvinvointiongelma nahkottavalle ketulle