Additional foraging elements reduce abnormal behaviour – fur-chewing and stereotypic behaviour – in farmed mink (Neovison vison)

Malmkvist, Jens; Palme, Rupert; Svendsen, Pia; Hansen, Steffen W.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2013.10.001

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Growing evidence suggests that simpler, more practical enrichments appropriate for small cages can also improve mink welfare, as indicated by measures of motivation, and decreased stereotypic behaviour and cortisol metabolite output. These include manipulable objects such as balls, structural additions to the cage like suspended wire mesh and shelves, and even ‘chunky’ food requiring more manipulation and time to consume than the minks' typical feed [32] , [43] – [46] . However, their welfare effects are not always consistent, suggesting that simple enrichments of different types vary in efficacy, and that only providing enrichments once mink have reached adulthood may be ineffective [47] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, their welfare effects are not always consistent, suggesting that simple enrichments of different types vary in efficacy, and that only providing enrichments once mink have reached adulthood may be ineffective [47] . To illustrate, some enrichments reduced one stereotypic behaviour, fur-chewing, but not locomotor stereotypies [46] ; others even increased locomotor stereotypy, perhaps due to increasing general activity [44] ; while others failed to reduce — or even enhanced — glucocorticoid output (e.g. [45] , [46] ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benefits of a Ball and Chain: Simple Environmental Enrichments Improve Welfare and Reproductive Success in Farmed American Mink (Neovison vison)

et al. 2014

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Can simple enrichments enhance caged mink welfare? Pilot data from 756 sub-adults spanning three colour-types (strains) identified potentially practical enrichments, and suggested beneficial effects on temperament and fur-chewing. Our main experiment started with 2032 Black mink on three farms: from each of 508 families, one juvenile male-female pair was enriched (E) with two balls and a hanging plastic chain or length of hose, while a second pair was left as a non-enriched (NE) control. At 8 months, more than half the subjects were killed for pelts, and 302 new females were recruited (half enriched: ‘late E’). Several signs of improved welfare or productivity emerged. Access to enrichment increased play in juveniles. E mink were calmer (less aggressive in temperament tests; quieter when handled; less fearful, if male), and less likely to fur-chew, although other stereotypic behaviours were not reduced. On one farm, E females had lower cortisol (inferred from faecal metabolites). E males tended to copulate for longer. E females also weaned more offspring: about 10% more juveniles per E female, primarily caused by reduced rates of barrenness (‘late E’ females also giving birth to bigger litters on one farm), effects that our data cautiously suggest were partly mediated by reduced inactivity and changes in temperament. Pelt quality seemed unaffected, but E animals had cleaner cages. In a subsidiary side-study using 368 mink of a second colour-type (‘Demis’), similar temperament effects emerged, and while E did not reduce fur-chewing or improve reproductive success in this colour-type, E animals were judged to have better pelts. Overall, simple enrichments were thus beneficial. These findings should encourage welfare improvements on fur farms (which house 60-70 million mink p.a.) and in breeding centres where endangered mustelids (e.g. black-footed ferrets) often reproduce poorly. They should also stimulate future research into more effective practical enrichments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits of a Ball and Chain: Simple Environmental Enrichments Improve Welfare and Reproductive Success in Farmed American Mink (Neovison vison)

et al. 2014

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“…In minks, the development of stereotypes is influenced by the environment and the routine managements, such as feeding strategies (hunger) [ 42 ]. In a study made by Malmkvist et al [ 43 ], a reduction of stereotyped behavior was noticed when thick food was provided, increasing the consummatory element of their daily foraging. In the same study, fur-chewing was reduced in female minks with access either to biting ropes or to thick food.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Besides the unsatisfied foraging elements leading to abnormal behavior, it has been suggested that fur-chewing could be related to low stimulation, leading to over-expression of other behaviors such as grooming. According to this, an increase in the daily stimuli could be the reason why biting ropes as well as the thick food reduced fur-chewing [ 43 ]. It has also been observed stress induced fur-chewing in degus ( Octodon degus ), resulting from loneliness of the animals in their individual housing [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact

González

Yáñez

Tadich

2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryMany chinchillas kept in captivity develop fur-chewing. This behavior does not only affect fur price, but most importantly it can be the result of an animal welfare problem. The causes of this behavior are not well understood and a genetic component could exist. This is why the aim of this study was to determine the genetic component and the effect of this behavior on fur price. The data from a commercial fur-farm was used, it included information on 10,196 chinchillas recorded between 1990 and 2011. The heritability of the behavior and its effect on fur price were determined. The results show a significant genetic variation in fur-chewing with an estimated heritability of 0.16. At the same time, the behavior had an important negative effect on fur price. The selection and management practices used in fur-farming should be improved in order to decrease the incidence of this behavior.AbstractFur-chewing is a common behavioral disorder developed by chinchillas kept in confinement that can indicate a past or present welfare problem. It also has a negative productive impact associated. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic component of fur-chewing, and the effect of this undesired behavior on fur price in a commercial fur-farming system of chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). The data for the analysis was derived from a commercial population of 10,196 chinchillas, recorded between the years 1990 and 2011. For determining differences in fur price according to presence of fur-chewing behavior, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, considering 3007 animals. For estimation of variance components of fur-chewing a sire-dam threshold (probit) mixed model was used, using data of 9, 033 individuals, and then heritability on the underlying liability scale was calculated. The analysis revealed a significant negative impact on fur price from fur-chewing chinchillas (p-value < 0.05). In addition, the study showed that fur-chewing presents significant genetic variation, with an estimated heritability of 0.16. The presentation of fur-chewing should be taken into account when selecting broodstock in these systems, in order to reduce the number of affected individuals.

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“…Finally, the authors' main conclusion seems to be that contact duration or "intensity" should be measured in addition to using the qualitative categories typically applied in the stick and glove tests, and yet, they do not justify why this should be done. Duration of contact and time manipulating the object does indeed differ between categories [as previously reported by Malmkvist and Hansen (2002), Malmkvist et al (2003Malmkvist et al ( , 2013, and Meagher et al (2011)]. However, aside from helping validate the use of these categories, it is not clear which additional information these added variables would provide.…”

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confidence: 84%

Discussion of “In-depth analysis of the emotional reactivity of American mink (Neovison vison) under behavioral tests”

Meagher

Díez-León

2020

Can. J. Anim. Sci.

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Additional foraging elements reduce abnormal behaviour – fur-chewing and stereotypic behaviour – in farmed mink (Neovison vison)

Cited by 18 publications

References 39 publications

Benefits of a Ball and Chain: Simple Environmental Enrichments Improve Welfare and Reproductive Success in Farmed American Mink (Neovison vison)

Benefits of a Ball and Chain: Simple Environmental Enrichments Improve Welfare and Reproductive Success in Farmed American Mink (Neovison vison)

Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact

Discussion of “In-depth analysis of the emotional reactivity of American mink (Neovison vison) under behavioral tests”

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