Hostname: page-component-54dcc4c588-rz4zl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-09-24T13:59:46.644Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Group size and space allocation in farmed juvenile blue foxes (Alopex lagopus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

L Ahola ,
J Mononen ,
T Pyykönen ,
M Mohaibes  and
S Hänninen
L Ahola*
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
J Mononen
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
T Pyykönen
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
M Mohaibes
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
S Hänninen
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: leena.ahola@uku.fi
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Farmed juvenile blue foxes were housed either singly, in pairs, or in quartets at a stocking density of either 0.6 m2 or 1.2 m2 per animal. The effects of group size and space allocation on physiological, behavioural and production-related parameters were assessed. The results showed that the larger space allocation, although having only minor effects on the measured parameters, allowed the foxes to maintain their individual space even in the larger group sizes. Social tension within the groups affected the behavioural and production-related parameters to a greater extent than did space allocation. The sex-related dominance order, with males having easier access to feed than females, and females having more bite scars and higher serum cortisol levels than males, appears to be the major factor affecting the general performance of mixed-sex group-housed farmed blue foxes. These results suggest that group housing of farmed juvenile blue foxes could be considered as an alternative, socially enriched way of housing these animals.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourblue foxgroup housingphysiologyspace allocation

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , February 2005 , pp. 1 - 9
Copyright
© 2005 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Ahola, L 2002 Effects of social and physical housing environment on the welfare in silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Kuopio University Publications C. Natural and Environmental Sciences 145. Kuopio University Printing Office: Kuopio, Finland. Available at http://www.uku.fi/vaitokset/2002/isbn951-781-243-4.pdfGoogle Scholar
Ahola, L and Mononen, J 2002 Family break-up in farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) housed in enlarged cage systems as families. Acta Ethologica 4: 125–127Google Scholar
Ahola, L, Harri, M, Kasanen, S, Mononen, J and Pyykönen, T 2000a Effect of family housing of farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in outdoor enclosures on some behavioural and physiological parameters. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 80: 427–434CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ahola, L, Harri, M, Kasanen, S, Mononen, J and Pyykönen, T 2000b Effects of group housing in an enlarged cage system on growth, bite wounds and adrenal cortex function in farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Animal Welfare 9: 403–412Google Scholar
Ahola, L, Harri, M, Mononen, J, Pyykönen, T and Kasanen, S 2001 Welfare of farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) housed in sibling groups in large outdoor enclosures. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 81: 435–440CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ahola, L, Harri, M, Mononen, J, Pyykönen, T and Kasanen, S 2002a Effects of group size and early handling on some behavioural and physiological welfare parameters in farmed blue foxes. Agricultural and Food Science in Finland 11: 23–35Google Scholar
Ahola, L, Mononen, J, Pyykönen, T, Mohaibes, M and Rekilä, T 2002b Effects of group size and space allocation on physiological, behavioural and production-related welfare parameters in farmed silver fox cubs. Agricultural and Food Science in Finland 11: 185–197CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Broom, D and Johnson, KG 1993 Stress and Animal Welfare. Chapman & Hall: London, UKCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chesemore, DL 1975 Ecology of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in North America — a review. In: Fox, MW (ed) The Wild Canid: Their Systematics, Behavioral Ecology and Evolution pp 143–163. Robert E Krieger: Malabar, USAGoogle Scholar
EU (European Union) 1999 Recommendations adopted by the Standing committee of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. Recommendations concerning fur animals. T-AP (96)19. Council of Europe: Strasbourg, France. Available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/welfare/international/index_en.htmGoogle Scholar
Fraser, AF and Broom, DM 1990 Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Baillière Tindall: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Gattermann, R 1990 Verhaltensbiologisches Praktikum. VEB Gustav Fisher Verlag: Jena, Germany [Title translation: Practices in Behavioural Sciences]Google Scholar
Korhonen, H and Alasuutari, S 1995 Dominance relations in captive groups of adult and juvenile arctic blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Polar Biology 15: 353–358CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Korhonen, HT, Jauhiainen, L and Niemelä, P 2001b Effect of space allowance and earthen flooring on behaviour of farmed blue foxes. Acta Ethologica 4: 11–21CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Korhonen, HT, Jauhiainen, L, Niemelä, P and Sauna-aho, R 2002 Wooden blocks and straw as environmental enrichments for juvenile blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Acta Ethologica 5: 29–37CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Korhonen, HT, Niemelä, P and Jauhiainen, L 2001a Effect of space and floor material on the behaviour of farmed blue foxes. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 81: 189–197CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Korhonen, H, Niemelä, P, Jauhiainen, L and Tupasela, T 2000 Effects of space allowance and earthen floor on welfare-related physiological and behavioural responses in blue foxes. Physiology & Behavior 69: 571–580CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lasley, BL and Kirkpatric, JF 1991 Monitoring ovarian function in captive and free-ranging wildlife by means of urinary and fecal steroids. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 22: 23–31Google Scholar
Martin, P and Bateson, P 1993 Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UKCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mendl, M and Newberry, RC 1997 Social conditions. In: Appleby, MC and Hughes, BO (eds) Animal Welfare pp 191–203. CAB International: Wallingford, UKGoogle Scholar
Moe, RO 1996 Investigation of methods to assess stress in farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). PhD Thesis, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, NorwayGoogle Scholar
Moe, RO and Bakken, M 1997 Effects of handling and physical restraint on rectal temperature, cortisol, glucose and leucocyte counts in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes). Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 38: 29–39Google ScholarPubMed
Mononen, J 1996 Resting platforms and nest boxes for farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) and silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The extent of use, reasons for use and welfare effects. Kuopio University Publications C. Natural and Environmental Sciences 52. Kuopio University Printing Office: Kuopio, FinlandGoogle Scholar
Nimon, AJ and Broom, DM 2001 The welfare of farmed foxes Vulpes vulpes and Alopex lagopus in relation to housing and management: a review. Animal Welfare 10: 223–248Google Scholar
Novak, MA and Drewsen, KH 1989 Enriching the lives of captive primates. In: Segal, EF (ed) Housing, Care and Psychological Well-being of Captive and Laboratory Primates pp 162–164. Noyes Publications: New Jersey, USAGoogle Scholar
Pedersen, V and Jeppesen, LL 1998 Different cage sizes and effects on behaviour and physiology in farmed silver and blue foxes. Scientifur 22: 13–22Google Scholar
Rekilä, T, Harri, M and Ahola, L 1997 Validation of the feeding test as an index of fear in farmed blue (Alopex lagopus) and silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Physiology & Behavior 62: 805–810CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rekilä, T, Harri, M, Jalkanen, L and Mononen, J 1999 Relationship between hyponeophagia and adrenal cortex function in farmed foxes. Physiology & Behavior 65: 779–783CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Strand, O, Landa, A, Linnell, JDC, Zimmermann, B and Skogland, T 2000 Social organization and parental behavior in the arctic fox. Journal of Mammalogy 8: 223–2332.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tannerfeldt, M and Angerbjörn, A 1996 Life history strategies in a fluctuating environment: establishment and reproductive success in the arctic fox. Ecography 19: 209–220CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wakely, LG and Mallory, FF 1988 Hierarchical development, agonistic behaviours, and growth rates in captive arctic foxes. Canadian Journal of Zoology 66: 1672–1678CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wikman, I, Mononen, J, Rekilä, T and Harri, M 1999 Stereotyped behaviour in juvenile foxes. In: Boe KE, Bakken M and Braastad BO (eds) Proceedings of the 33rd International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, 17-21 August 1999, Lillehammer, Norway p 109 (Abstract). Agricultural University of Norway: Ås, NorwayGoogle Scholar