ORIGINAL PAPER
Maternal behaviour in American mink females with different behavioural profiles
More details
Hide details
1
University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
Publication date: 2019-12-27
Corresponding author
D. Zieliński
University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2019;28(4):367-373
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The aim of the experiment was to determine how the behaviour
of American mink (Neovison vison) females affects their breeding results and
maternal behaviour during the perinatal period. A stick test was used to evaluate
the behavioural profile of 576 minks. One hundred females with a determined
behavioural profile (aggressive, curious, fearful and neutral) were selected
and nest building before parturition, maternal behaviour after delivery and
reproduction results were examined. The preparation of the nest was assessed
before the expected parturition, taking into account the necessity of human
intervention in its proper construction. Maternal behaviour was observed
during the first week of life of offspring. Significant differences in the fertility
rate between the aggressive and neutral females with a significantly higher
number of kits present at day 4 in the second type were noted. Medium quality
nests were mostly observed (60%), followed by those of very good (37%)
and poor quality (3%). The very good quality nests were most often built by
females rated as fearful. Regardless of the behaviour profile, the females spent
a similar period of time with the young at the time prior to feeding (from 16.8 to
22.3 min). So, significant differences in the number of born and raised pups in
differently behaving minks can suggest that knowledge of dam behaviour can
be taken into account when predicating reproduction results.
REFERENCES (24)
2.
Axelsson H.M., Hansen S.W., Loberg J., Lidfors L., 2017. Effects of group size on behaviour, growth and occurrence of bite marks in farmed mink. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 194, 112–119,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appl....
3.
Brandt C., Malmkvist J., Nielsen R.L., Brande-Lavridsen N., Surlykke A., 2013. Development of vocalization and hearing in American mink (Neovison vison). J. Exp. Biol. 216, 3542–3550,
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.08....
4.
Dawson L., Buob M., Haley D., Miller S., Stryker J., Quinton M., Mason G., 2013. Providing elevated ‘getaway bunks’ to nursing mink dams improves their health and welfare. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 147, 224–234,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appl....
5.
Díez-León M., Quinton M., Mason G., 2017. How tall should a mink cage be? Using animals’ preferences for different ceiling heights to improve cage design. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 192, 24–34,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appl....
6.
Felska-Błaszczyk L., Lasota B., Seremak B., 2016. Conception rates in farm mink (Neovison vison) in relation to first mating date, age and color variety. Anim. Sci. J. 87, 873–877,
https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.12....
7.
Gugołek A. (Editor), 2011. Nutritional Recommendations and Nutritional Value of Feed. Fur Animals (In Polish). The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition PAS. Jabłonna (Poland).
8.
Hansen B.K., Su G., Berg P., 2010. Genetic variation in litter size and kit survival of mink (Neovison vison). J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 127, 442–451,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439....
9.
Harjunpää S., Rouvinen-Watt K., 2004. The development of homeothermy in mink (Mustela vison). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A. Mol. Integr. Physiol. 137, 339–348,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb....
10.
Korhonen H.T., Jauhiainen L., Rekilä T., 2002. Effect of temperament and behavioural reactions to the presence of a human during the pre-mating period on reproductive performance in farmed mink (Mustela vison). Can. J. Anim. Sci. 82, 275–282,
https://doi.org/10.4141/A01-08....
11.
Łapiński S., Bzymek J., Niedbała P., Migdał Ł., Zoń A., Lis M., 2013. Effect of age and temperament type on reproductive parameters of female raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray). Ann. Anim. Sci. 13, 807–814,
https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2....
12.
Malmkvist J., Gade M., Damm B.I., 2007. Parturient behaviour in farmed mink (Mustela vison) in relation to early kit mortality. App. Anim. Behav. Sci. 107, 120–132,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appl....
13.
Malmkvist J., Hansen S.W., 2002. Generalization of fear in farm mink, Mustela vison, genetically selected for behaviour towards humans. Anim. Behav. 64, 487–501,
https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.2....
14.
Malmkvist J., Palme R., 2008. Periparturient nest building: Implications for parturition, kit survival, maternal stress and behaviour in farmed mink (Mustela vison). App. Anim. Behav. Sci. 114, 270–283,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appl....
15.
Malmkvist J., Sørensen D.D., Larsen T., Palme R., Hansen S.W., 2016. Weaning and separation stress: maternal motivation decreases with litter age and litter size in farmed mink. App. Anim. Behav. Sci. 181, 152–159,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appl....
16.
Mandalaywala T.M., Higham J.P., Heistermann M., Parker K.J., Maestripieri D., 2014. Physiological and behavioural responses to weaning conflict in free-ranging primate infants. Anim. Behav. 97, 241–247,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbe....
17.
Mason G.J., Latham N.R., 2004. Can’t stop, won’t stop: is stereotypy a reliable animal welfare indicator? Anim. Welf. 13, Suppl. 1, S57–S69.
18.
Meagher R., Bechard A., Palme R., Díez-León M., Hunter B.D., Mason G., 2012. Decreased litter size in inactive female mink (Neovison vison): Mediating variables and implications for overall productivity. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92, 131–141,
https://doi.org/10.4141/cjas20....
20.
Ślaska B., Rozempolska-Rucińska I., 2011. Mating system and level of reproductive performance in mink (Neovison vison). Ann. Anim. Sci. 11, 105–113.
21.
Ślaska B., Rozempolska-Rucińska I., Jeżewska-Witkowska G., 2009. Variation in some reproductive traits of mink (Neovison vison) according to their coat colour. Ann. Anim. Sci. 9, 287–297.
22.
Tauson A.-H., Chwalibog A., Tygesen M.P., 2006. Late development of homoeothermy in mink (Mustela vison) kits – a strategy for maximum survival rate. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 90, 38–45,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439....
24.
Zschille J., Stier N., Roth M., 2010. Gender differences in activity patterns of American mink Neovison vison in Germany. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 56, 187–194,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344....