CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by University of Lincoln Institutional Repository AABS revision 28-5-2010 1 Title: 2 To swim or not to swim: An interpretation of farmed mink’s 3 motivation for a water bath. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Running headline: 11 Swimming water for farmed mink 12 13 14 Authors: 15 VINKE, C.M., HANSEN, S.W., MONONEN, J., MASON, G.J., KORHONEN, H., COOPER, J.J., 16 MOHAIBES, M., BAKKEN, M. SPRUIJT, B.M. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Correspondence to: 31 C.M. Vinke. Ethology & Welfare Group, Department of Animals, Science & Society, Faculty of 32 Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. 33 T: ++ 31.30.2534373 34 F: ++ 31.30.2539227 35 Email:
[email protected] 1 AABS revision 28-5-2010 36 Summary 37 38 How an animal’s behavioural (ethological) needs can be met is a pivotal issue in the assessment 39 of welfare for captive animals. The value of swimming water for farmed mink is an example how 40 scientific and societal questions relating to animal welfare can be answered. A number of studies 41 have addressed the issue of the indispensability of swimming water for mink; however, so far with 42 inconclusive evidence. In this paper, the results of these studies and related literature are 43 reviewed. 44 First, the biological definition of need is discussed. Subsequently, attention is paid to the effects of 45 the presence, absence and the removal of swimming water on behavioural and physiological 46 correlates of well-being including stereotypic and anticipatory behaviour and urinary cortisol.