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The development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for foxes and mink: the WelFur project

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

J Mononen ,
SH Møller ,
SW Hansen ,
AL Hovland ,
T Koistinen ,
L Lidfors ,
J Malmkvist ,
CM Vinke  and
L Ahola
J Mononen*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
SH Møller
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
SW Hansen
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
AL Hovland
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway
T Koistinen
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
L Lidfors
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 234, SE-532 23 Skara, Sweden
J Malmkvist
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
CM Vinke
Affiliation:
Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 80166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
L Ahola
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: jaakko.mononen@uef.fi
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Abstract

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The WelFur project aims at the development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for farmed foxes (the blue fox [Vulpes lagopus], the silver fox [Vulpes vulpes]) and mink (Neovison vison). The WelFur protocols are based on Welfare Quality® (WQ) principles and criteria. Here, we describe the WelFur protocols after two years of developmental work. Reviews for each of the 12 WQ welfare criteria were written for foxes and mink to identify the welfare measures that have been used in scientific studies. The reviews formed the basis for potential measures to be included in the WelFur protocols. All measures were evaluated for their validity, reliability and feasibility. At present, we have identified 15 fox and 9 mink animal-based (or outcome-based) welfare measures, and 11 and 13 input-based (resource-based or management-based) measures. For both foxes and mink, each of the four WQ principles is judged by at least one criterion, and seven out of the 12 criteria include animal-based measures. The protocols will be piloted in 2012. Using the WQ project and protocols as a model has been a fruitful approach in developing the WelFur protocols. The effects of the WelFur protocols will provide benchmarks from which the welfare of animals on European fur farms can be assessed.

Keywords

animal-based welfare measuresanimal welfareinput-based welfare measuresfoxfur farmingmink
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 21 , Issue 3: Selected papers from the 5th International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , August 2012 , pp. 363 - 371
Copyright
© 2012 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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