Feed Consumption and Efficiency in Paternal Progeny Groups in Mink

Abstract

A total of 730 dark mink, half of each sex, representing 94 paternal progeny groups originating from 16 farms were housed on a test station from about 10 weeks of age until pelting. Average daily feed consumption in paternal progeny groups was registered daily. Individual body weights were recorded five times. Feed consumption, feed efficiency and weight gain in paternal progeny groups were calculated in four subperiods corresponding to the times of weighing. These traits, body weights and length of pelts were analysed for differences between paternal progeny groups and farms of origin. A considerable difference between farms of origin and paternal progeny groups was found for most traits, indicating genetic variation. Correlations between averages of paternal progeny groups were calculated, and interpreted as approximations to genetic correlations. Feed consumption was highly correlated across periods. Feed efficiency showed low to medium correlations between periods. A favourable correlation was found between efficiency of weight gain and efficiency of longitudinal growth.