Effects of group and sex combination on productive performance of farmed polecats (Mustela putorius).

Abstract

Effects of cage size, sex and social status on body growth and fur quality of juvenile, growing polecats (Mustela putorius) were studied under farm conditions. No significant differences in growth rate or fur quality parameters between various female groups were found. In males, animals housed by threes within a cage produced lowest final body mass and shortest pelt lengths. The best productive result was found in group where 2 males and 2 females were kept together in large-sized cages. In both sexes, social status did not produce any significant differences in body growth or fur quality parameters. The results support the conclusion that also other than the conventional one-male and one-female combination can be used to produce animals of big body size and long pelts.