How to translate text using browser tools
24 March 2016 Feed intake, growth, and behavioral assessment of mink fed a clam-based diet
Dana L.M. Campbell, Jane E. Link, Amber H. Lester-Saenz, Steven J. Bursian
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the acceptance and safety of two species of food-grade clams, ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) and Atlantic surf clam (Spisula solidissima), for consumption by fur-farmed American mink (Neovison vison). These clams contained thiaminase that can lead to weight loss, paralysis, and death. Across 19 wk, 39 black, adult female mink divided into three groups were fed a standard chicken-based control diet, 10% clam diet, or 20% clam diet and assessed for feed consumption rates, body weights, locomotor stereotypic behavior, overall activity levels, and ability to complete a novel tunnel climbing task. The 20% clam group consumed significantly less metabolizable energy compared with the control group, but there was no significant difference in weight gain between groups. There were some inconsistent group differences in stereotypy and overall activity with all groups showing significant behavioral differences across study weeks; possibly related to ambient weather and photoperiod. There were no significant group differences in their ability to complete the tunnel task. Based on our results, no negative effect of clam consumption was observed in adult female mink, but further studies are needed to determine clam safety to both male and female mink from all life stages.

Dana L.M. Campbell, Jane E. Link, Amber H. Lester-Saenz, and Steven J. Bursian "Feed intake, growth, and behavioral assessment of mink fed a clam-based diet," Canadian Journal of Animal Science 96(1), 11-18, (24 March 2016). https://doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2014-0171
Received: 10 November 2014; Accepted: 1 October 2015; Published: 24 March 2016
JOURNAL ARTICLE
8 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
American mink
behavior
Chastek's paralysis
clams
comportement
palourde
paralysie de Chastek
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top