SCIENTIFUR SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION IN FUR PRODUCTION

Vol. 25, No. 4

INTERNATIONAL FUR ANIMAL SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION SCIENTIFUR - scientific information in Fur Animal Production.

SCIENTIFUR scientific information for those involved in Fur Animal production, is published by the International Fur Animal Scientific Association (IFASA).

SCIENTIFUR is the contact link between fur animal researchers all over the world and serves as an outlet for scientific and other communication between researchers and others who are interested in the production of fur bearing . As such SCIENTIFUR will contain reports of scientific and applied nature as well as abstracts of information published elsewhere and information regarding congresses, scientific meetings etc.

SCIENTIFUR is published as four issues per year in the following way: • Three issues containing short communications (max. 4 pages), abstracts, letters, book reviews etc. • One issue containing only reviewed articles. One year’s issues (1 volume) are estimated to total 350 pages covering more than 500 titles of scientific reports.

SCIENTIFIC REVIEWED ARTICLES. Papers received for publication as Scientific Reviewed Article, will be sent to two referees for scientific approval, and will regardless of discipline appear in the issue entitled “Fur Animal Science” containing only reviewed articles.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS. Other original papers can be published in SCIENTIFUR as short communications. In regard to such articles the author(s) alone is (are) responsible for the scientific validity of the article. Such papers must not exceed 4 printed pages.

EDITOR ADDRESS. All kinds of material suited for publication or abstracting in SCIENTIFUR have to be forwarded to the Editor: Birthe M. Damgaard Tel: +45 89991512 SCIENTIFUR Fax: +45 89991500 P.O. Box 14 DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark E-mail: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION 2001- : DKK 600.- per volume (year) including bank charges and postage. Please note that members can subscribe, for personal use only, at a reduced rate. Please apply for membership and further details at http://www.ifasanet.org or to the IFASA treasurer.

TRESURERS ADDRESS. All correspondence regarding subscription and payment should be addressed to the Treasurer: Steen H. Møller Tel: +45 89991346 IFASA Fax: +45 89991500 P.O. Box 14, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark E-mail: [email protected]

INDEXING: Scientific Reports and Original Reports published in SCIENTIFUR are indexed in common international indexes covering data regarding animal science. All titles unless of origin which have been published in SCIENTIFUR from the very beginning, is covered in an electronic SCIENTIFUR INDEX, which is updated each year. This index can be downloaded from the Webb-site: http://www.ifasanet.org

International Fur Animal Scientific Association (IFASA). Board of directors: Dr. Bruce D. Murphy (president):E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Steen H. Møller (vicepresident, treasurer): E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Ilpo Pölönen. E-mail: [email protected] Ing. Wim Verhagen. E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Marian Brzozowski. E-mail: [email protected]

Contents 105

SCIENTIFUR ISSN 0105-2403 Vol. 25, No. 4

1. Contents 105

2. Notes 109

3. Abstracts 111

The taxonomic status of the Japanese Mustela Itatsi (, ). A.V. Abramov 111

Structure of baculum (os penis) in Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora). Communication 1. G.F. Baryshnikov, A.V. Abramov 111

Structure of baculum (os penis) in Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora). Communication 2. G.F. Baryshnikov, A.V. Abramov 111

Intrageneric diversity of the cytochrome b gene and phylogeny of Eurasian species of the genus Mustela (Mustelidae, Carnivora). N. Kurose, A.V. Abramov, R. Masudas 111

Notes on the of the Siberian (Mustelidae: ). A.V. Abramov 112

Low genetic diversity in Japanese populations of the Eurasian Meles meles (Mustelidae, Carnivora) revealed by mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences. N. Kurose, Y. Kaneko, A.V. Abramov, B. Siriaroonrat, R. Masuda 112

A taxonomic review of the genus Mustela (Mammalia, Carnivora). A.V. Abramov 112

Electrolyte composition of mink (Mustela vison) erythrocytes and active cation transporters of the cell membrane. O. Hansen, T.N. Clausen 112

106 Scientifur, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2001

Glucose Homoeostasis and Regulation in Lactating Mink (Mustela vison): Effects of Dietary Protein, Fat and Carbohydrate Supply. R. Fink, C.F. Børsting, B.M. Damgaard 113

Gloss measurements of morphologically different fur surfaces in pelts from black mink (Mustela vison). P.V. Rasmussen 113

4. Short Communications 115

Studies on the relationship between fur damage in mink, reproduction results and the occurrence of this defect in offspring. A. Gugołek, M.O. Lorek, A. Hartman 115

5. Symposiums and Congresses 117

Autumn meeting, 2-4 October 2002, Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists, Subsection for Fur Animals 117

6. New Books 119

Fear in Farm Mink (Mustela vison) − Consequences of Behavioural Selection. Ph.D. thesis. Jens Malmkvist 119

Annual Report 2001, Danish Fur Breeders’ Research Center 121

Generalisation of fear in mink selected for reaction towards humans. J. Malmkvist, S.W. Hansen 121

Observations of mink deliveries. J. Malmkvist, B. Houbak 122

Stereotypy, welfare, politics and production. L.L. Jeppesen, V. Pedersen, T. Simonsen 122

Eating and drinking behaviour of mink and the relationship between feed intake and activity/stereotypies and factors influencing the activity. S.W. Hansen, E.L. Decker 122

Ph.D. on free-ranging mink – Population dynamics and trophic interactions of an introduced top predator. M. Hammershøj 123

Demand functions generated by use of operant conditioning techniques. S.W. Hansen, M.B. Jensen, L.J. Pedersen, L. Munksgaard, J. Ladewig, L. Matthews 123

Curious behaviour is inherited in farm mink (Mustela vison). B.K. Hansen, P. Berg, S.W. Hansen, J. Malmkvist 124

Selection for kit growth – considering welfare of the dam. Results of the fifth and final year of selection. B.K. Hansen, P. Berg, J. Malmkvist, S.W. Hansen, U.L. Rasmussen 124

Alternative measures for prediction of maternal and kit effects on early growth in the suckling period. B.K. Hansen, P. Berg 124

Is the growth period shortened by changing the time of birth? Positive/negative consequences? U.L. Rasmussen, M. Fredberg 125

Energy distribution in mink feed in the winter and reproduction periods. C. Hejlesen, T.N. Clausen 125

Ad libitum or restricted feeding of mink females in May. T.N. Clausen, C. Hejlesen 125

Contents 107

Glucose metabolism and glucose homeostasis of the lactating mink. R. Fink, C.F. Børsting, B.M. Damgaard 126

Effects of high dietary levels of fresh or oxidised fish oil on mink female performance and kit growth during the nursing period. B.M. Damgaard, C.F. Børsting 126

Sodium Chloride in the lactation period and the early growing fase. T.N. Clausen, P. Sandbøl, B.M. Damgaard 127

Lupin and rapeseedfor mink feed in the growing period. C. Bjergegaard, T.N. Clausen, C. Hejlesen, K. Mortensen, H. Sørensen 127

Peas and soybeans for mink in the growing furring period. T.N. Clausen, C. Hejlesen 127

Single cell protein for mink in the growing season. C. Bjergegaard, T.N. Clausen, C. Hejlesen, K. Mortensen, P. Ochodzki, H. Sørensen 128

A RT-PCR based method for measurements of mRNA from mink tissue: A preliminary investigation of Myogenin. B. Riis, K.G. Madsen 128

Methionine metabolism in the mink. Effect of season, and the supply of methionine and betaine. C.F. Børsting, B. Riis 128

High content of ethoxyquin in feed for mink in the reproduction, lactation and early growth period. C. Bjergegaard, T.N. Clausen, H.H. Dietz, K. Mortensen, H. Sørensen, J.C. Sørensen 129

Investigations of three sulfur-containing Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in liver, muscular and skin tissue from mink. B. Riis, C.F. Børsting 129

Measurement of leather properties in dressed mink pelts. Preliminary results in relation to storage of raw pelts by freezing. P.V. Rasmussen, L.L. Skovløkke 129

Astrovirus epidemiologically linked to pre-weaning diarrhoea in mink. L. Englund, C. Mittelholzer, M. Chriél, H.H. Dietz, K.O. Hedlund, L. Svensson 130

Evaluation of the intestinal flora in mink with special focus on E. coli. L. Vulfson, K. Pedersen, H.H. Dietz, T.H. Andersen, M. Chriél 131

Morphological and optical fur properties in mink (Mustela vision) - A study on raw, dried mink pelts with reference to product quality. DIAS report No. 35. P.V. Rasmussen 132 108 Scientifur, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2001

Notes 109

Notes from the Group of Editors

This electronic version of Scientifur is the fourth arranged by the Nordic Association of Agricultural issue of volume 25. The last two issues of this Scientists, Subsection for Fur Animals. The seminar volume will be published as a paper version. is to take place in Finland, 2 – 4 October 2002.

We sincerely regret the delay in the publishing of We invite all our readers to submit articles for volume 25. However, we promise our readers to reviewing as well as short communications, commence the editing of volume 26 as soon as abstracts, letters etc. with relation to fur animals. possible, hoping that by the end of 2002 all four issues of volume 26 will have been published. We wish you all an enjoyable summer.

In this issue of Scientifur you will find abstracts, a short communication, and information on new books. You will also find information on a seminar

On behalf of the Group of Editors

Birthe Damgaard

110 Scientifur, Vol. 25 No. 4, 2001

Abstracts 111

The taxonomic status of the Japanese weasel basis of the results obtained. The caput of the os Mustela Itatsi (Carnivora, Mustelidae) penis in each group is complicated independently. The subfamilies Lutrinac, Melinae, Mustelinac have A.V. Abramov the baculum of similar structure, that in Mephitinne is reduced. Many differences in morphology of os The taxonomic status of Mustela itatsi Temminck, penis in related forms, such as Charronia and 1844 is discussed. The Japanese weasel was Martes, and indicate their remote considered as a Mustela sibirica subspecies. phyleric relationship. The genus Mustela is divided Twenty-three measurements of skulls in Japanese into 8 subgenera in the os penis form, two of them, and Siberian from different habitats were Neovison subgen. nov. (within M. vison) and analyzed. The discriminant analysis revealed a Cabreragale subgen. nov. (within M.felipei) are significant difference between these two forms. The new. The baculum of Enhydra and that in the fossil difference is greater than that between different genera Sardolutra and Plesiogulo are relatively populations of the Siberian weasel from the whole large, Conepatus, , Mellivora, , Siberian and from the Far East. M. itaisi is and Pteronura have a relatively short baculum. distinguished from M. sibirica by its smaller and narrower skull. The morphotypic features of skull, Zoological Journal, 1998: 77, 231-236, 2 figs, 1 size, coloration,and bacula, were also studied. The table, 53 refs. taxonomic status of M. itatsi as an independent species is confirmed by cytogenetic data.

Zoological Journal, 2000: 79, 80-88, 5 figs, 3 Intrageneric diversity of the cytochrome b gene tables, 36 refs. and phylogeny of Eurasian species of the genus Mustela (Mustelidae, Carnivora)

N. Kurose, A.V. Abramov, R. Masudas Structure of baculum (os penis) in Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora). Communication 1 To illuminate molecular phylogenetic relationships among Eurasian species of the genus Mustela G.F. Baryshnikov, A.V. Abramov (Mustelidae, Carnivora), we determined nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial cyto- The baculum (os penis) in 27 genera and 55 species chrome b gene region (1,140 base pairs). Molecular of Mustelidac from the world fauna is described in phylogenetic trees, constructed using the neighbor- detail. Structure of the baculum is different in most joining and the maximum likelihood methods, species. The genus Mustela is divided into 8 showed the common topology of species subgenera in the os penis form, two of them, relationships to each other. The M. Neovison subgen. nov. (within M. vison) and vison first branched off and was positioned very Cabreragale subgen. nov. (within M.frlipei) are remotely from the other species of Mustela. new. Excluding M. vison, the ermine M. erminea first split from the rest of the species. Two small body- Zoological Journal, 1997: 76, 1399-1410, 3 figs. sized weasels, the least weasel M. nivalis and the mountain weasel M. altaica, comprised one cluster (named “the small weasel group”). The other species formed another cluster, where the Structure of baculum (os penis) in Mustelidae remarkably close relationships among the domestic (Mammalia, Carnivora). Communication 2 M. furo, the European polecat M. putorius, and the steppe polecat M. eversmanni were noticed G.F. Baryshnikov, A.V. Abramov with 87—94% bootstrap values (named “the ferret group”), supporting the history that the ferret was The baculum (os penis) in 27 genera and 55 species domesticated from M. putorius and/or M. of Mustelidae from the world fauna is described in eversmanni. The European mink M. lutreola was the detail. Structure of the baculum is different in most closest to the ferret group. The genetic distance species. Two large groups are distinguished on the between the Siberian weasel M. sibirica and the 112 Scientifur, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2001

Japanese weasel M. itatsi corresponded to phylogenetic tree reconstructed by sequence differences of interspecific level, while the two differences clearly showed that Japanese species were relatively close to M. lutreola and the populations of Meles meles were differentiated from ferret group. These results provide invaluable continental populations (from the Baikal area and insight for understanding the evolution of Mustela eastern Europe) of M. meles. By contrast, genetic as well as for investigating the hybridization status distances among Japanese populations were much between native and introduced species for smaller, and their geographic structures did not conservation. reflect geographic distances between sampling localities. The results indicate that polymorphisms Zoological Society of , 2000: 17, 673-679, 3 of the ancestral populations still remain via loss of figs, 3 tables, 36 refs. haplotypes by population size changes. In addition, M. meles could have occupied the present habitats in Japanese main islands (, Shikoku, and Kyushu) in a short period, possibly after the last Notes on the taxonomy of the Siberian badgers glacial age. (Mustelidae: Meles) Zoological Science, 2001: 18, 1145-1151, 3 figs, 2 A.V. Abramov tables, 23 refs.

Craniometric characters and fur coloration of the Siberian badger are examined. Comparison of the Siberian badgers with those from Europe (Leningrad A taxonomic review of the genus Mustela Area) and Japan allows to draw a conclusion that (Mammalia, Carnivora) there are three species in the genus Meles: M. meles (L., 1758), M. A.V. Abramov leucurus (Hodgson, 1847) and Japanese badger M. anakuma Temminck, 1844. Throughout the area The genus Mustela includes 17 species. from the Urals to Far East only two subspecies of Comparative analysis of skull structure, dentition, the Asian badger can be diagnosed: Siberian badger bacular structure and external characteristics make it Meles leucurus sibiricus Kastschenko, 1900 (= possible to divide the genus into 9 subgenera: altaicus, raddei) and badger from Primorie M. l. Mustela, Gale, Putorius, Lutreola, Kolonokus, amurensis Schrenck, 1859 (= melanogenys). Pocockictis, Grammogale, Cabreragale and Cryptomustela subgen. N. The American mink is Russian Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the regarded as a representative of a separate genus Zoological Institute, 2001: 288, 221-233, 3 figs, 27 Neovision. refs. Zoosystematica Rossica,1999: 8, 357-364, 1 fig, 43 refs.

Low genetic diversity in Japanese populations of the Eurasian badger Meles meles (Mustelidae, Carnivora) revealed by mitochondrial Electrolyte composition of mink (Mustela vison) cytochrome b gene sequences erythrocytes and active cation transporters of the cell membrane. N. Kurose, Y. Kaneko, A.V. Abramov, B. Siriaroonrat, R. Masuda O. Hansen, T.N. Clausen

To assess the level of genetic variations of the Red blood cells from mink (Mustela vison) were Eurasian badger Meles meles in Japan, the entire characterized with respect to their electrolyte sequences (1,140 base pairs) of the mitochondrial content and their cell membranes with respect to cytochrome b gene were phylogenetically examined. enzymatic activity for cation transport. The intra- Most of substitutions between haplotypes were and extracellular concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, transitions resulting in synonymous mutations. A Ca2+ and Mg2+ were determined in erythrocytes Abstracts 113

and plasma, respectively. Plasma and red cell water drawn 10 and 5 min before feeding and 30, 60, 90, content was determined, and molal electrolyte 120, 150 and 180 min postprandially. The glucose concentrations were calculated. Red cells from male concentration was increased 30 to 150 min adult mink appeared to be of the low-K+, high-Na+ postprandially in dams fed the type as seen in other carnivorous species. The carbohydratecontaining diets (46:37:17 and intracellular K+ concentration is slightly higher than 31:37:32), whereas the glucose concentration the extracellular one and the plasma-to-cell showed no postprandial response in dams fed the chemical gradient for Na+ is weak, though even the carbohydrate-free diets (61:38:1, 47:52:1 and molal concentrations may differ significantly. 33:66:1). Plasma insulin concentrations were Consistent with the high intracellular Na+ and low increased 30 to 120 min postprandially in all dams, K+ concentrations, a very low or no ouabain- irrespective of dietary treatment. Plasma sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase activity and no K+- concentrations of glucagon were higher (P <0.005) activated pNPPase activity were found in the plasma in dams fed the low-protein diets (31:37:32 and membrane fraction from red cells. The Cl- and 33:66:1) than in dams fed the high-protein diets Mg2+ concentrations expressed per liter cell water (61:37:2 and 61:38:1). Postprandially, the glucagon were significantly higher in red cells than in plasma : insulin ratios decreased in dams fed the whereas the opposite was the case with Ca2+. The carbohydrate-containing diets, whereas the distribution of Cl- thus does not seem compatible glucagon:insulin ratios tended to increase in dams with an inside-negative membrane potential in mink fed the carbohydrate-free diets. Plasma erythrocytes. In spite of a steep calcium gradient concentrations of urea were significantly higher in across the red cell membrane, neither a calmodulin- dams fed the high-protein diets. Plasma activated Ca2+-ATPase activity nor an ATP- concentrations of FFA, measured in the second activated Ca2+-pNPPase activity were detectable in experiment (year 2) only, showed increased the plasma membrane fraction. The origin of a concentrations postprandially, the responses being supposed primary Ca2+ gradient for sustaining of significant in dams fed the 33:66:1 and 61:38:1 osmotic balance thus seems uncertain. diets. In conclusion, the mink is able to regulate the concentrations of blood constituents involved in Acta vet. scand., 2001: 42, 261-270, 3 tables, 24 maintaining glucose homoeostasis, and thereby to refs. adapt to a wide range of dietary protein and carbohydrate supply.

Acta Agric. Scand., Sect. A, Animal Sci., 2002: 52, Glucose Homoeostasis and Regulation in 102-111, 3 figs, 2 tables, 44 refs. Lactating Mink (Mustela vison): Effects of Dietary Protein, Fat and Carbohydrate Supply

R. Fink, C.F. Børsting, B.M. Damgaard Gloss measurements of morphologically different fur surfaces in pelts from black mink (Mustela The ability of lactating mink dams to control vison). glucose homoeostasis, when fed diets containing different ratios of metabolizable energy (ME) from P.V. Rasmussen protein, fat and carbohydrates, was studied by measuring plasma concentrations of glucose, The paper presents some preliminary results of an insulin, glucagon, urea and free fatty acids (FFA), in optical discrimination between fur surfaces in pelts the fasted and absorptive state 4 weeks postpartum, from 25 black male and 25 black female mink, in two consecutive years. A total of 36 yearling which visually differed in respect to glossiness and female mink, fitted with jugular vein catheters and nap, i.e., the difference between length of guard raising litters of six or seven kits, was fed ad libitum hairs and wool hairs. The pelts came from two lactation diets with different amounts of ME derived morphologically different hair lines representing a from protein, fat and carbohydrates (year 1:61:37:2, traditional, coarse type with relatively long guard 46:37:17 and 31:37:32; year 2:61:38:1, 47:52:1 and hairs (long nap type) and a modified type with 33:66:1). After 3 h fasting the dams were fed 210 kJ relatively short guard hairs (short nap or velvet ME of the experimental diets. Blood samples were type). The pelts were judged with sensory methods 114 Scientifur, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2001

into different grades of nap, glossiness and fur volume. By simple, non-destructive, 80 goniophotometric methods, reflectance curves were Matt applied to characterise the different pelt surfaces Glossy optically and to explain visual characteristics. The 75 individual maximum reflectance (s) and the 70 corresponding observation angle (ϑs °) were evaluated. The observation angle at maximum reflectance was assumed to depend on the guard % Max. reflectance, 65 hairs. Therefore, the average inclination of guard Male pelts Female pelts hairs (θhair, °) in relation to the skin surface was Fig. 5. The maximum reflectance (s) is higher in calculated as θhair = (ϑs - (90° - 15°)) / 2. The visually glossy pelts. Mean and standard deviation effect of the hair scale inclination was not included are shown. in this calculation and was not considered in this study. 45 M ale pelts 40 . Female pelts The maximum reflectance in visually very glossy 35 male and female pelts was high compared with 30 visually very matt pelts. Also generally, the maximum reflectance was correlated with visual 25 20 glossiness in male and female pelts (r = 0.47, P = Guard hair inclin 0.02 and r = 0.39, P = 0.05, respectively). The 15 θ 0123456 average inclination of guard hairs ( hair) was Nap negatively correlated with nap in male and female pelts (r = -0.66, P = 0.0003 and r = -0.69, P = θ ° 0.0001, respectively), and positively correlated with Fig. 6. The average guard hair inclination ( hair, ) is fur volume (r = 0.35, P = 0.09 and r = 0.49, P = negatively related to nap.

0.01). However, multiple regression showed that θ In Hartwig Höcker and Brigitte Küppers, eds. hair was more dependent on nap in male and Proceedings of the 10th International Wool Textile female pelts (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.003, Research Conference. November 26 - December 1, respectively) than on fur volume (P = 0.10 and P = 2000, Deutsches Wollforschungsinstitut (DWI), 0.64, respectively). Aachen, Germany, CD-rom ISBN: 3-00-007905-x. 6 pp. In conclusion, non-destructive and photometric methods can be used to characterise some optical properties in black mink pelts. It is possible to characterise sensory grades of nap by using indirectly obtained values of the average guard hair inclination. A decrease in average guard hair inclination is related to high nap values (long nap) and vice versa (short nap). Perhaps the result can contribute to some objective nap criteria and to objective measuring systems in the future.

Short Communications 115

Studies on the relationship between fur damage in mink, reproduction

results and the occurrence of this defect in offspring

A. Gugołek, M.O. Lorek, A. Hartman

Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

Abstract Material and Methodology The aim of the present research was to compare the The studies were conducted on pastel mink in the reproduction results of pastel mink chewing their fur first year of their reproductive utilisation. The with mink not showing this pathology, and to experimental group (II) included 24 females and 12 determine to what degree this pattern of behaviour is males whose fur was seriously damaged on the tail inherited by offspring. The experimental group and trunk sides. The damage was classified as self- included males and females with fur damage, inflicted. The control group (I) consisted of 31 whereas the control group consisted of mink free females and 15 males whose fur was not damaged. from this defect. A lower rearing ratio was noted in Reproduction was carried out within the groups, i.e. the group of females chewing their fur. Males of females with damaged fur were mated with males both groups showed similar sexual activity. Kits that with damaged fur only, whereas animals free from were the offspring of mink with fur damage were this pathological behaviour mated with one another. more likely to chew their own fur and that of other The data on the number of kits born and reared were animals. collected. The rearing ratio was also calculated. The sexual activity of males was determined on the basis Introduction of the number of mating sessions. The kits from The causes of fur chewing in fur-bearing animals both groups were put into cages, 1 male and 1 are different. They may be of environmental or female in each. The number of kits with fur damage psychological nature, but they may also be and the areas of its occurrence were noted in connected with the feeding system, health state of December. animals or inheritance. Kwartnikowa (1995) excluded, on the basis of five-year studies, the Results and Discussion infectious character of fur chewing. According to The reproduction results of mink are presented in Malmkvist & Hansen (2001), and Hansen et al. Table 1. No difference was found between the (1998), fur damage can be reduced by selection. The groups as regards the number of kits born and damage may be self-inflicted or done by other reared. However, the average number of kits born, animals kept in the same cage. It may be deducted, in relation to the number of females in the group, following Hansen et al. (1998), that neck damage is was higher in the case of females with fur damage. caused by other animals, while trunk and tail The number of weaned kits was higher in the damage is self-inflicted. Manson (1994) reports that control group. The rearing ratio was statistically tail biting occurs in early weaned kits, and may be higher by 18% in this group than in the prevented by providing them with other objects to experimental one. The results indicate that the level chew. Fur damage is not observed in natural of kit mortality was higher in the groups of mink conditions (in wild mink), and is a symptom of with fur damage, which may be connected with problems with adaptation to farm conditions increased nervousness and aggressiveness of (Houbak & Hansen, 1996). females in this group. The reproduction results of males include the average number of mating sessions per male. Males of both groups showed similar sexual activity (I – 7.36, II – 6.42 mating sessions per male). Table 1 also shows the number 116 Scientifur, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2001

of animals with fur damage in both groups, stating Table 1. Reproduction results of female and offspring whether it was self-inflicted or not. In group I, the with fur damage kits with fur damage constituted 3.6%. The damage Specification Mea- Group concerned mostly tails. In the group of kits whose sures I II parents used to chew their fur, fur damage was observed in 19.23% of mink. The damage was Female n 31 24 found on the tail and neck, and was accompanied by % 100.00 100.00 the lack of one or both ears. Fur damage on the tail Mated n 29 24 was classified as self-inflicted (8.97%), whereas the other kinds of damage (on the neck, lack of ears) % 93.50 100.00 were classified as done by animals kept in the same Barren n 1 4 cage (10.26%). Due to the fact that on farms two or % 3.20 16.60 several mink are kept together in one cage, not all kinds of damage are self-inflicted. Maybe animals After n 28 20 chewing their fur also demonstrate a tendency to parturition- % 90.30 83.40 damage the fur of others put into the same cage. rearing kits Conclusions Number of 1. The worst kit rearing results were obtained in the kits: group of females with fur damage. 2. Males with fur damage were characterised by - born n 128 113 normal sexual activity. x 4.13 4.71 3. Mating of mink with fur damage resulted in

approx. 20% of their kits chewing their own fur and damaging the fur of other animals. - reared n 111 78 x 3.58 3.25 Reference Damgaard, B.M. & Hansen, S. 1996. Stress Rearing ratio % 87.00 69.00 physiological status and fur properties in farm Offspring mink placed in pairs or singly. Acta Agric. with fur Scand., Sect. A, Animal Sci. 48: 253-259. Hansen, S., Houbak, B. & Malmkvist, J. 1998. damage: Development and possible causes of fur damage Total n 4 15 in farm mink – significance of social % 3.60 19.23 environment. Acta Agric. Scand., Sect. A, Animal Sci. 48: 58-64. Houbak, B. & Hansen, S.W. 1996. Fur chewing in Self-inflicted n 3 7 farm mink – temporal development and effect of social environment. Applied Science Report. % 2.70 8.97 Polish Society of Animal Production. Warsaw. 29: 77-81. Not self- n 1 8 Kwartnikova, E. 1995. Jeszczo raz o strizkie volosianovo pokrova. Krolikovodstvo i inflicted % 0.90 10.26 Zvierovodstvo. 3: 10. (done by Malmkvist, J. & Hansen, S. 2001. The welfare of other farmed mink (Mustela vison) in relation to behavioural selection. Animal Welfare 10: 41- animals) 52. Mason, G. 1994. Tail-biting in mink (Mustela vison) is influenced by age at removal from the mother. Animal Welfare 3: 305-31. Symposiums, congresses etc. 117

Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists

Subsection for Fur Animals

Autumn meeting 2-4 October 2002

Scientists, consultants, and others involved in fur animal production are invited to participate in the autumn meeting of the NJF. At the meeting, recent scientific results will be presented.

Where?: Holiday CIub Katinkulta, 88610 Vuokatti, Finland Nearest airport: Kajana, approx. 40 km

Price: Single room Doubleroom NJF members: 470 euro 390 euro Non-members: 510 euro 430 euro

Registration: Not later than 14 June 2002

Payment: Not later than 15 August 2002 To Finlands Pälsdjursuppfödares Förbund, Account No. 500001-12689 Please state name of participant

Oral presentations and posters are to be announced not later than 2 April 2002. Final manuscripts written in English and including summaries in English or one of the Nordic languages are to be submitted electronically (MS Word) before 15 August 2002. A final programme will be distributed in September 2002.

The organising committee Address: FPF rf / Maija Miettinen P.O.B. 5 01601 Vanda Tel.: + 358-(0)9-849 8433 E-post: [email protected] 118 Scientifur, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2001