Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in Artic foxes fed diets supplemented with ground triticale

• Published in: Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Zootechnica (Poland) no. 5
• Main Authors: Gugolek, A., E-mail: gugolek@uwm.edu.pl, Lorek, M.O, Hartman, A, Zembrzuska, A. (University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn (Poland). Dept. of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Aliment pour animaux; Alimentación de los animales; Alimentation des animaux; Animal feeding; Cereales forrajeros; Complément alimentaire; Céréale fourragère; Digestibilidad; Digestibility; Digestibilité; Experimentación; Experimentation; Expérimentation; Extrusion; Extrusión; Feed cereals; Feeds; Foxes; Nitrogen retention; Nutritive value; Piensos; Raciones; Ration; Rations; Renard; Retención nitrogenada; Rétention azotée; Suplementos; Supplements; Triticales (product); Triticales (producto); Triticales (produit); Valeur nutritive; Valor nutritivo; Zorro
• ISSN: 1644-0714

The experiment was performed in September, on eight female blue foxes aged about 14 weeks, selected of two litters born at the same time, and allocated to two equal groups by the analogue method. The foxes of group I (control) were fed a diet containing ground extruded wheat, commonly added to feed for foxes. The foxes of group II (experimental) were fed a diet containing ground extruded triticale. The other diet components were the same in both groups. The foxes were placed in cages adapted for quantitative collection of feces and urine samples. A five-day proper experimental period was preceded by a four-day preliminary period. It was found that the substitution of ground triticale for ground wheat had a slight effect on the chemical composition of diets. Diet supplementation with triticale reduced the digestibility of organic matter, especially N-free extractives, in the experimental foxes. Ground triticale had no negative influence on nitrogen retention in Arctic foxes