ABSTRACT: Carbohydrates are easy accessible raw material for fresh feed in domestic animal production. Barley, which mainly contains carbohydrates, has become more popular as an ingredient in feed for fur bearing animals in particular. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of heat treatment on digestibility of barley in farm-raised juvenile blue fox and mink. Two different heat treatments were compared here: (1) traditional heat treatment; and (2) specific treatment, including exposure to pressure and heat, and by gelatinization. Experimental animals were six adult males of dark standard-type mink or “neovison vison” and blue fox or “vulpes lagopus”. The digestibility was evaluated by the AIA indicator method with 0.5 silicate (celite 545) serving as an inert indicator. Main components in the study feed were slaughter-house offal, Baltic herring, barley, and water. Ash content was higher in specific than in traditional diet (p < 0.001). Crude protein content tended to be slightly higher in specific diet. In blue fox and mink, digestibility of crude protein and fat were similar in traditional and specific diet (p > 0.005). Digestibility of carbohydrates and organic matter was significantly (p < 0.01) better for specific than traditional diets. Heat treatment including gelatinization can be recommended to use for better utilization of carbohydrate stuff in the diet.

KEY WORDS: Farmed furbearers, mink and blue fox, heat treatment, feed ingredients, fur farming, carbohydrate, and digestive value.

About the Authors: Prof. Hannu T. Korhonen, Ph.D. and Paavo Niemelä, Ph.D. are Principal Research Scientist and Docent in Applied Zoology at the MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Animal Production Research, Silmäjärventie 2, FIN-69100 Kannus, Finland. For academic purposes, corresponding author is: hannut.korhonen@mtt.fi

How to cite this article? Korhonen, Hannu T. & Paavo Niemelä. (2014). “Digestibility of Heat Treated Barley in Blue Fox and Mink” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, Vol.7(1) August, pp.43-48. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press and UMP Purwokerto, ISSN 1979-7877.

Chronicle of the article: Accepted (March 20, 2014); Revised (May 30, 2014); and Published (August 17, 2014).

Angerbjörn, A. et al. (1994). “Dietary Variation in Arctic Foxes (Alopex Lagopus): An Analysis of Stable Carbon Isotopes” in Oecologia, 99, pp.226-232.

Berg, H. (1986). “Rehutietoutta Turkiseläinkasvattajille” in Turkiseläintutkimuksia, 23. STKLry, Vaasa. 99 pp.

Brown, J.H. & R.C. Lasiewski. (1972). “Metabolism of Weasels: The Cost of Being Long and Thin” in Ecology, 83, pp.939-943.

Frafjord, K. (1993). “Food Habits of Arctic Foxes (Alopex Lagopus) on the Western Coast of Svalbard” in Arctic, 1, pp.49-54.

Iversen, J.A. (1972). “Basal Energy Metabolism of Mustelids” in Journal of Comparative Physiology, 81, pp.341-344.

Jorgensen, G. [ed]. (1985). Mink Production. Denmark: Scientifur.

Korhonen, H.T. et al. (2005). “Effects of Diet Calcium: Phosphorus Ratio and Metabolizable Energy Content on Development of Osteochondrosis, Foot Bending, and Performance in Blue Foxes” in Animal Science, 80, pp.325-331.

Korhonen, H.T., M. Harri & J. Asikainen. (1983). “Thermoregulation of Polecat and Raccoon Dog: A Comparative Study with Stoat, Mink, and Blue Fox” in Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology, 74A, pp.225-230.

Korhonen, H.T. & P. Niemelä. (1998). “Effect of ad Libitum and Restrictive Feeding on Seasonal Weight Changes in Captive Minks (Mustela Vison)” in Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 79, pp.269-280.

Korhonen, H.T. & P. Niemelä. (2012). “Effect of Fish Meal Level on Growth, Food Digestibility and Fur Properties of Farmed Mink (Mustela Vison)” in Animal Production, 14(1), pp.63-69.

Korhonen, Hannu T. & Hanna Huuki. (2013). “Neovison Vison: Code of Good Practice for Euthanasia in Mink” in SOSIOHUMANIKA: Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan, 6(1) Mei. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press, ISSN 1979-0112. Available online also at: www.sosiohumanika-jpssk.com

Korhonen, Hannu T., Juhani Sepponen & Pekka Eskeli. (2013). “A Questionnaire Study on Euthanasia in Farm-Raised Mink” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, 5(2). Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press and UMP Purwokerto, ISSN 1979-7877. Available online also at: www.educare-ijes.com

Minkinkasvatus. (1967). Suomen Turkiseläinten Kasvattajain Liitto ry. Jyväskylä: Kauppiaiden Kustannus Oy, 311 pp.

Nenonen, N. & I. Pölönen. (2002). “Dehulled and Naked Oats in Mink and Blue Fox Diets” in Scientifur, 26(2), p.43.

Nielsen, S.M. (1991). “Fishing Arctic Foxes Alopex Lagopus on a Rocky Island in West Greenland” in Polar Research, 9(2), pp.211-213.

Niemelä, P. & H.T. Korhonen. (1998). Kuumakäsitellyn Ohran Ravinteiden Sulavuus Siniketuilla ja Minkeillä. Kannus: Maatalouden Tutkimuskeskus, Tutkimusseloste, 6 pp.

Ɵstergaard, K. (1998). “The Importance of Heat Treatment for the Digestibility of Carbohydrate in Mink” in Botnia Grain: Reference Paper, No.10E, 3 pp.

Pölönen, I. (2000). Silage for Fur Animals. Helsinki: Department of Animal Science Publications No.50, University of Helsinki, 54 pp.

SAS [Statistical Analysis System] Institute, Inc. (1999). SAS/STAT® User’s Guide, Version 8. Cary, NC: SAS Institute, Incorporation, 3809 pp.

Sibbald, I.R. et al. (1962). “The Rate of Passage of Feed through the Digestive Tract of the Mink” in Canadian Journal of Biochemical Physiology, 40, pp.1391-1394.

Tauson, A.H. (1988). “Feed Evaluation and Nutritional Requirements: 5. Fur-Bearing Animals” in Livestock Production Science, 19(1-2), pp.355-367.