*Author for Correspondence

• Main Authors: Hannu T. Korhonen, Paavo Niemela
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Key Words; Blue Fox; Feed Composition; Fish Diet; Growth and Fur Properties; Vulpes lagopus
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.681.6153; http://www.indjsrt.com/admin/UploadFiles/16-INDJSRT20140225.pdf

The composition of diets in farm-raised blue foxes varies seasonally. Our present study sought to determine the effects of normal (NOR) and high (HIGH) fish product levels in the diet on growth performance and fur properties of farmed blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus). Experimental groups employed were: (1) Normal, traditional fish product level; 21 % (NOR); and (2) high fish product level; 30 % (HIGH). Each group comprised 30 juvenile males. The results showed that appetite of experimental foxes in both study groups was good when evaluated as a fresh feed intake. However, when measured as an ingested dry matter and energy intake, consumption was slightly higher for NOR animals. Significant differences were found in body weights only in Sept 24 when NOR animals were heavier (P<0.05). Weight gain during entire study period (Aug 20-pelting at Nov 26) tended to be greater (P<0.1) for NOR animals (NOR 7004 ± 857 g vs HIGH 6695 ± 839 g). Skin length was significantly (P<0.01) greater in animals fed normal fish product level (NOR). Significant differences were not found in fur properties between the experimental groups (P>0.05). It can be concluded that the amount of 30 % fish products (10 % fish meal, 20 % fish mixture) tended to provide lower weight gain and shorter skin length compared to diet having 21 % fish products (1 % fish oil, 20 % fish mixture). Conclusion here is that too high amount of fish products cannot be recommended for juvenile blue fox during growing-furring process.