TY - CONF
T1 - Ferrets’ behavioural priorities and preferences as determined in a three- and seven-chamber consumer demand study
AU - Reijgwart, Marsinah Lusanne
AU - Vinke, C.M.
AU - Hendriksen, C.F.M.
AU - Van Der Meer, Miriam
AU - Schoemaker, N.J.
AU - van Zeeland, Y.R.A.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Information on housing requirements for ferrets is scarce. Therefore, a three- and seven-chamber consumer demand study were used to determine preferred enrichments for ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Seven female ferrets were first housed in a three-chamber set-up with a home chamber (HC) connected to an enrichment (EC) and an empty chamber (CC) by weighted doors. Second, they were housed in a seven-chamber set-up with HC connected to six EC and a CC. In EC, items from one of six categories were placed: tunnels, balls, water, foraging, sleeping or social. The ferrets’ motivation to reach EC was measured by daily increasing the door’s weight until the maximum price paid (MPP) was reached. Preferences for items within a category were determined by comparing the interaction time with the different items. In the three-chamber set-up, motivation was highest for access to sleeping (MPP 1325±112 g) and water (MPP 1158±188 g) enrichment (GLMM). The seven-chamber set-up confirmed these findings, demonstrating MPP’s of 1450±120 g, 1075±153 g and 950±228 g for sleeping, water and foraging enrichment (Repeated Measures ANOVA). Within these categories, ferrets preferred the hammock over the sleeping bucket and Savic Cocoon® (p<0.001) and the water bath over the water bowl (p<0.001). There was no preference for the foraging ball or the cat pyramid (p=0.046). The results of these consumer demand studies suggest that a hammock, water bath and foraging opportunity are preferred enrichment items for ferrets and that these animals could benefit greatly from provision of these items in their captive living environment.
AB - Information on housing requirements for ferrets is scarce. Therefore, a three- and seven-chamber consumer demand study were used to determine preferred enrichments for ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Seven female ferrets were first housed in a three-chamber set-up with a home chamber (HC) connected to an enrichment (EC) and an empty chamber (CC) by weighted doors. Second, they were housed in a seven-chamber set-up with HC connected to six EC and a CC. In EC, items from one of six categories were placed: tunnels, balls, water, foraging, sleeping or social. The ferrets’ motivation to reach EC was measured by daily increasing the door’s weight until the maximum price paid (MPP) was reached. Preferences for items within a category were determined by comparing the interaction time with the different items. In the three-chamber set-up, motivation was highest for access to sleeping (MPP 1325±112 g) and water (MPP 1158±188 g) enrichment (GLMM). The seven-chamber set-up confirmed these findings, demonstrating MPP’s of 1450±120 g, 1075±153 g and 950±228 g for sleeping, water and foraging enrichment (Repeated Measures ANOVA). Within these categories, ferrets preferred the hammock over the sleeping bucket and Savic Cocoon® (p<0.001) and the water bath over the water bowl (p<0.001). There was no preference for the foraging ball or the cat pyramid (p=0.046). The results of these consumer demand studies suggest that a hammock, water bath and foraging opportunity are preferred enrichment items for ferrets and that these animals could benefit greatly from provision of these items in their captive living environment.
M3 - Abstract
SP - 6
ER -