Performance in blue fox (Vulpes lagopus) fed low-protein diets supplemented with DL-methionine and L-histidine

Authors

• Vappu Ylinen Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki
• Päivi Pylkkö Kannus Research Farm Luova Ltd.
• Jussi Peura Finnish Fur Breeders Association
• Essi Tuomola Finnish Fur Breeders Association
• Jarmo Valaja Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.73149

Keywords:

fur animal, protein level, amino acids, growth, pelt size, pelt quality

Abstract

The effects of low-protein diets supplemented with DL-methionine (MET) and L-histidine (HIS) on growth, pelt size and pelt quality were studied in two performance trials conducted at the Kannus Research Farm Luova Ltd, Finland. Both trials were conducted with 200 blue foxes, caged male-female pairs, initial age on average 20 weeks (trial 1) and 25 weeks (trial 2). In trial 1, diets contained digestible crude protein (DCP) 24%, 20% and 16% of metabolisable energy (ME). In trial 2, diets contained DCP 20%, 16.5% and 13% of ME. In both trials, the middle protein level was fed with or without MET and the lowest protein level was fed with MET and with or without HIS. In trial 1, blue foxes showed the greatest average daily gain (ADG) in the highest protein diet. Pelt size and pelt quality were not affected. In trial 2, blue foxes showed the greatest ADG in the low-protein groups. Pelt size and pelt quality were not affected.