The Effect of Cage Environment and Ad Libitum Feeding on the Circadian Rhythm, Behaviour and Feed Intake of Farm Mink
Titel:
The Effect of Cage Environment and Ad Libitum Feeding on the Circadian Rhythm, Behaviour and Feed Intake of Farm Mink
Auteur:
Hansen, Steffen W. Hansen, Bente Krogh Berg, Peer
Verschenen in:
Acta agriculturae Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science
Paginering:
Jaargang 44 (1994) nr. 2 pagina's 120-127
Jaar:
1994-05-01
Inhoud:
The effect of cage size and nest box environment on circadian rhythm and on stereotyped and non-stereotyped activities was measured for 66 farmed female mink fed ad libitum. The behaviour of the animals was recorded over 24 h on video in the months of September and October. Weight and feed consumption were measured for the 66 females and the 66 male mink placed with the females. The experiment included three cage sizes (0.10, 0.27 and 1.10 m2) and cages with and without nest boxes. In the cages with nest boxes the use of wire netting cylinders and shelves was evaluated. Farm mink, fed ad libitum, had their primary activity period from 04:00 to 10:00 h. There was no food anticipatory activity, but the actual feeding at noon caused an interruption of the animals' resting period. Mink in cages without nest boxes performed more stereotyped behaviour than mink with nest boxes. There was no effect of cage size on the measured behavioural elements. Mink were passive for more than 70% of the day and night and preferred to rest together. Apart from resting in the nest box, mink preferred to rest on shelves above floor level. Lacking the possibility of using a nest box and performance of stereotyped behaviour increase the feed intake of farm mink. A large variation between animals, having a significant effect on all the measured behavioural elements, indicates different coping patterns and/or stress sensitivity.