Effects of cage size and obstructed view from cage on use of resting platforms by farmed silver foxes

Abstract

The effects of cage size and an obstructed view from the cage on the use of wooden non walled resting platforms by juvenile male (n=10) and female (n=15) silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were assessed in a 10 week experiment. The degree of the view and the free floor area of the cage varied between the five types of cage used. Each animal spent 2 weeks in each type of cage and their behaviour was videorecorded for a 24-h period in each 2-week period. The foxes spent 59 ± 13% of their daily time on the platforms. Use declined from 72 ± 13% in September to 35 ± 21% in November. Males used the platforms more than did females. In late October and early November, the foxes in cages with an obstructed view from the floor made more use of the platforms for both active behaviour and resting than did those in cages with an unobstructed view from the floor. The larger the free floor area of the cage, the less the silver foxes used the platforms during activity in mid-August and mid-September. One probable function of the platform is to offer the foxes an observation and resting place with an open view in all directions.