Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)
Research article - Peer-reviewed, 1991

Fish oil and rapeseed oil as main fat sources in mink diets in the growing-furring period

Tauson, Anne-Helene; Neil, Maria

Abstract

Effects of dietary fat source and level on feed consumption, weight gain, fur quality characteristics and some physiological parameters were investigated on 9 groups of pastel mink kits. The fat level was moderate or high (main fat source 18% or 25% each of slaughter-house offal and poultry wastes; 3% or 6% fish oil; 3% or 6% 00-variety rapeseed oil, respectively, on a wet diet basis). High fat slaughter offal products and fish oil-based diets were supplemented with vitamin E according to standards or with extra 6 mg per animal and day. Slaughter offal, rapeseed oil and the moderate level of fish oil supported a normal and similar growth rate. On the high fish oil level, weight gain and ME intake were impaired and white underfur was recorded. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values confirmed the incidence of anemia in these groups, the rate however being lower when extra vitamin E was given. Anemia was probably caused by high levels of dietary PUFA. Animals fed rapeseed oil had significantly higher T4 values and elevated ME intake compared with the slaughter offal control. Fur quality characteristics were superior in the rapeseed oil-based diets and worst in the slaughter offal groups, which was explained by differences in fatty acid composition.

Published in

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
1991, Volume: 65, number: 2, pages: 84-95
Publisher: BLACKWELL WISSENSCHAFTS-VERLAG GMBH