Efficiency of Utilisations of Food Energy by Female Growing Minks

Abstract

The efficiency of utilisation of food energy by female growing minks, from weaning to adult age, was studied. The food given, pelleted according to an original technology, has the following chemical composition on a DM basis: 87.0% organic matter, 37.1% crude protein, 11.7% crude fat, 2.6% crude fiber, 35.6% nitrogen-free extractives and 13.0 per cent ash. Young minks had a feed intake, in relation to body weight, warying from 11.6 g to 58.6 g DM/d. Maximum feed intake related to kg0.75 was recorded at 700 g body weight (approximately 98 g DM/kg0.65). Digestibility of the given food expressed in DE, averaged 87.7 +/- 1.2%, while metabolizability, 82.3 +/- 1.1%. Total heat production related to the intaked gross energy, was 48.0 +/- 3.0%, and the retained energy, 34.3 +/- 4.0 per cent. The net efficiency of the metabolizable energy used for maintenance and production could not be accurately determined. However, taking to account the calculated values required for maintenance, of 649 kJ/kg0.75 in 300 to 600 g young minks, and of 607 kJ/kg0.75 in 600 to 1100 g young minks and also the maintenance efficiency, Km = 0.75, the coefficient for ME utilisation in protein and fat synthesis, of 0.50 and 0.75, respectively, it was able to determine the average ME efficiency used as net energy for maintenance and production: 70%. The highest values of nictemeral metabolism were recorded in the evening, and the lowest ones, at noon; the difference between the maximal and the minimal value did not exceed 6 per cent.

Effects of Dietary Protein and Energy Levels on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Growing Male Mink (Neovison vison)

“…Healthy male mink were fed six experimental diets with two protein levels (32 and 36%) and three fat levels (10, 20, and 30%); when the dietary fat level was 10%, the growth rate was significantly ( P < 0.01) lower than that of the other groups and mink health can be affected ( 10 ). In addition, the maintain ME requirement in the mink growth period is 607–680 KJ/kg BW 0.75 ( 11 , 12 ). Moreover, protein metabolism has a strong connection with energy metabolism ( 13 – 15 ).…”

“…In addition, the maintain ME requirement in the mink growth period is 607-680 KJ/kg BW 0.75 (11,12). Moreover, protein metabolism has a strong connection with energy metabolism (13)(14)(15).…”