Welfare consequences of digging substrates in blue foxes

Korhonen, Hannu T.; Eskeli, Pekka; Huuki, Hanna

doi:10.3920/978-90-8686-760-8_55

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In SEP and NOV, our foxes spent more time digging in the sand box than they used scratching the wall of the nest box, but in DEC no clear preference between these two sites was found. This is in contrast to the study of Korhonen et al (2012), where more digging (scratching) of a solid metal plate was observed than digging on sand (in August and September). Thus, our result supports only partially the conclusion of Korhonen et al (2012) that a vertically situating plate is a better digging site than a sand box.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

“…Digging on sand occurred only in 0.07% to 0.1% of the observations, which corresponds to 1 to 2 min in a day, meaning that our foxes dug for almost exactly the same daily duration as has been reported earlier in a similarsized sand box in October and November (Korhonen et al, 2003). However, earlier in autumn (July and August), the foxes studied by Korhonen et al (2003) dug for about 6 to 7 min in a day and 12 min in a later study (August and September: Korhonen et al, 2012). In SEP and NOV, our foxes spent more time digging in the sand box than they used scratching the wall of the nest box, but in DEC no clear preference between these two sites was found.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

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Complex housing environment for farmed blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus): use of various resources

Koistinen

Korhonen

2013

Animal

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The present study was designed to measure the use of various, simultaneously available resources in a complex housing environment in juvenile blue foxes. Twelve blue fox sibling (male–female) pairs were housed in two-section experimental cages from the age of 8 weeks until the age of 7 months (from June to December). Each experimental cage was furnished with two platforms, a nest box, a sand box and a wooden block. This housing set-up provided the foxes with social contact, and an opportunity for oral manipulation, scratching and nesting, as well as the choice of staying on a solid floor material or on an elevated location. The foxes’ behaviour was recorded at three time points during autumn (September, November and December). The foxes used all available resources. The most utilised resource was the nest box, possibly because it could be utilised in several ways (as a shelter, an elevated location, an object for scratching and for oral manipulation). The foxes also stayed more in the cage section containing the nest box than in the cage section containing a sand box. The foxes rested much on the cage floor, but they also used the interior of the nest box and elevated locations for resting. Social contact often occurred during resting. Thus, the nest box and elevated location, in conjunction with social contact seem to be valuable while resting. While active, the foxes utilised the cage floor and roof of the nest box instead of the platforms. Scratching, digging and an interaction with the wooden block were seldom observed. Activity occurred mainly on the ‘empty’ cage area. In conclusion, all studied resources provided blue foxes with a distinct value, as they all were used in the complex housing environment. The nest box is used most and for most variable behaviours.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Complex housing environment for farmed blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus): use of various resources

Koistinen

Korhonen

2013

Animal

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“…According to the code of good practice for humane killing in foxes developed by MTT Agrifood Research Finland—Animal Production Research, pain, distress and suffering before and during killing should be avoided, and humane killing should lead to a “rapid loss of consciousness followed by cardiac or respiratory arrest and the ultimate loss of brain function” ([ 56 ], p. 3). This means that foxes who are still alive while being subjected to a control method must be kept in adequate thermal conditions.…”

Section: Fox Control Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This means that foxes who are still alive while being subjected to a control method must be kept in adequate thermal conditions. Prolonged absence of food and water must be avoided, and animals must be safeguarded from risks of injuries and exposure to other animals that might harm them (Korhonen & Huuki, 2013 [ 56 ]). Compliance with standard operating procedures, such as regular checks of traps and accurate trap location recording, is thus important to minimise suffering and possible death due to starvation, thirst, shock and exposure to weather conditions that might be detrimental to animal welfare [ 19 ].…”

Section: Fox Control Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Animal Welfare Consequences and Moral Implications of Lethal and Non-Lethal Fox Control Methods

de Ridder,

Knight

2024

Animals

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Control methods are applied worldwide to reduce predation on livestock by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Lethal methods can inflict suffering; however, moral debate about their use is lacking. Non-lethal methods can also inflict suffering and can unintentionally lead to death, and yet both the welfare consequences and ethical perspectives regarding their use are rarely discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate the animal welfare consequences, the level of humaneness, the ethical considerations and the moral implications of the global use of fox control methods according to Tom Regan’s animal rights view and Peter Singer’s utilitarian view. According to Regan, foxes ought not to be controlled by either lethal or potentially harmful non-lethal methods because this violates the right of foxes not to be harmed or killed. According to Singer, if an action maximises happiness or the satisfaction of preferences over unhappiness or suffering, then the action is justified. Therefore, if and only if the use of fox control methods can prevent suffering and death in livestock in a manner that outweighs comparable suffering and death in foxes is one morally obligated to use them. It is clear that lethal fox control methods and some non-lethal methods are inhumane.

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Welfare consequences of digging substrates in blue foxes

Cited by 2 publications

References 6 publications

Complex housing environment for farmed blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus): use of various resources

Complex housing environment for farmed blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus): use of various resources

The Animal Welfare Consequences and Moral Implications of Lethal and Non-Lethal Fox Control Methods

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