Repeatability of subjective grading in fur animals III. Grading of live blue foxes in different environmental conditions

Authors

• Hilkka Kenttämies University of Helsinki, Department of Animal Breeding, SF-00710 Helsinki, Finland
• Kerstin Smeds University of Helsinki, Department of Animal Breeding, SF-00710 Helsinki, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72452

Abstract

Association between repeatedly scored body size and fur characteristics were studied in live blue foxes. Gradings in cages and outside cages in lamplight and daylight were also compared. Colour tended to be easier and clarity more difficult to evaluate than the other traits. Differences between judges in accuracy of grading were greater than between various grading environments. The grading was more reliable outside cages than within cages. The most uniform results were obtained when the same judge graded the animals in the same environmental conditions.