Phenotypic and genetic parameters and responses in temperament of silver fox cubs in a selection experiment for confident behaviour

Abstract

A selection experiment for more confident silver foxes was arranged to find out possibilities to obtain selection response in confidence. Variation in aggressiveness and ease of capture was also studied. Fixed factors affecting the traits were studied using WSYS program. Covariances for breeding values were estimated with REML and multitrait animal models using VCE4 and Pest programs. It appeared that males were more confident than females. Cubs born in small litters tended to be more confident, less aggressive and easier to capture compared to those born in greater litters. Cubs of one-year-old dams seemed to be more confident and easier compared to those of older dams. Moderate estimate of heritability was obtained for confidence (h 2 = 0.22). During three years of selection, genetic response of 0.13 points was achieved in confidence in selection line compared to control line. A higher selection differential existed in males than females. Predicted response of 0.21 points was slightly higher than the estimated one. No heritability was observed in aggressiveness, while a low one existed in ease of capture (h 2 = 0.07). No association between confidence and the other behaviour traits were found.

Selection for temperament has no negative consequences on important production traits in farmed mink1

“…The estimated heritability of confident behavior was medium 0.19 (SE = 0.06), less than the estimated heritabilities for pelt quality and pelt length. Our estimates of behavior heritability were similar to the results of previous studies of farmed mink (Berg et al, 2002) and two species of farmed foxes (Kenttämies et al, 2002;2006). This study, therefore, confirms the potential for temperament selection suggested by previous selection experiments with mink (Hansen 1996;Berg et al, 2002, Hansen et al, 2010 and foxes (Belyaev, 1978;Kenttämies et al, 2002;2006).…”

“…Because the genetic correlation between male and female behavior was 0.95 (SE = 0.06), we considered male and female behavior as the same trait (P = 0.40). Compared with females, males exhibited a nonsignificant tendency toward more exploratory behavior, greater phenotypic variation, and a trend toward greater genetic variation, consistent with the findings of Hansen (1996) and of Malmkvist and Hansen (2002) for mink, as well as findings for farmed silver foxes, Vulpes vulpes (Kenttämies et al, 2002(Kenttämies et al, , 2006. Birks (1981) demonstrated that, for feral mink, females are subordinate to males outside the breeding season.…”

Improvements in the behaviour of Gir dairy cows after training with brushing

“…Cattle with high reactivity or low docility are undesirable in a livestock farm. These animals are generally culled due to difficulty in handling, especially in dairy production systems where handlers have more direct and regular contact with animals (Kenttämies et al 2006) and these animals display characteristics which can be dangerous and stressful to the animal itself and to its cohorts, as well as the human handlers.…”