Comparison of production results between blue foxes housed with and without platforms

Abstract

The production results of farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) housed in cages with and without resting platforms were compared. No differences in weight gain or reproductive performance were found between the groups. However, locomotor activity prior to the breeding season tended to be slightly lower in animals provided with platforms. Platform use during the period of winter fur development (Oct-Nov) varied for the different platform constructions, being highest in wooden U-type platforms placed 30 cm from the cage roof (54.1% of observations on platforms) and lowest in the corner platform type (12.6%, p