Low Protein and Methionine in Blue Fox Diet During Growing-Furring Season: A Field Study

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.