Feed consumption by minks of different behavioral types

Abstract

The main goal of the work was to determine the attitude of the American mink to feed consumption, depending on the genotype and behavior. The object of research was American mink (Neovison vison) of cell breeding of three different genotypes: Standard dark brown (+/ +), Hedlundwhite (h/ h) and Black crystal (CR/ +). Groups of animals were initially assessed on aggressive and manual behavior using a special hand catch test method. The duration of the work was 30 days. All animals received a unified ratio according to the recommended norms. Daily feed was weighed before distribution (190 g per 1 head to females and 250 g to males) and the amount of feed consumed a day per group and per 1 head was determined from the remains. The feed consumption was assessed by the indicator of the feed consumed by males and females of different genotypes and behavior. Comparison of the data was carried out using Student t-test. As the temperature factor influences the feed consumption, the feed intake by minks of different genotypes was assessed over seven-day periods. It was found that in the first observation period there was no difference in the amount of feed consumed by females. However, in the second period, aggressive Hedlund females consumed more than females of the black crystal genotype. In the same period, the females of the black crystal genotype showed the lowest feed consumption in comparison with the standard and Hedlund females. In the third period, Hedlund females consumed the largest amount of feed among aggressor females in comparison with the genotypes Standard and Black Crystal. There are no differences in feed consumption by males of different genotypes for the same periods. Over the entire study period, female aggressors of genotypes Standard and Hedlund consumed more feed than females of the tame type of behavior. The tame males of the standard genotype consumed more feed than the aggressive ones. There were no differences in feed consumption by minks of different behavior of the black crystal genotype.