Low Protein and Methionine in Blue Fox Diet During Growing-Furring Season: A Field Study
January 2005
in “
Jukuri (Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke))
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Studysummary This study found that lower dietary protein with supplemented methionine allowed blue foxes to grow normally and produce high-quality pelts while reducing feed costs and environmental phosphorus and nitrogen loads.
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The study on 382 blue foxes during the growing-furring period aimed to assess the effects of a low-protein diet supplemented with methionine on growth and fur quality. Conducted at a Finnish fur farm, the trial compared a control group fed a standard protein diet with an experimental group receiving a low-protein diet (19% protein of ME) with methionine supplementation (2 g/kg). Results showed no significant differences in weight gain, pelt length, or fur quality between the groups, although the experimental group had a slightly better specific growth rate. The control group had darker pelts, and their faeces contained higher phosphorus and nitrogen levels. The study concluded that a low-protein diet with methionine is sufficient for normal growth and high-quality pelts, reducing production costs and environmental impact. Methionine was deemed essential for hair growth and skin development.
