Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

Copyright © Wydawnictwo Akademii Rolniczej we Wroclawiu, ISSN 1505-0297

Socha S. , Markiewicz D. 2002. EFFECT OF MATING AND WHELPING DATES ON THE NUMBER OF PUPS IN MINK, EJPAU 5(2), #02.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume5/issue2/animal/abs-02.html

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed at an analysis of the effect that mating and whelping terms might have on the number of offspring of mink. Two primary reproduction-related traits were analysed: the number of born pups and the number of raised, or weaned, pups. More than 3600 litters were analysed over three years. The females were distributed into four groups depending on the date of mating, and into four other groups in respect to whelping date. The analysis of variance demonstrated a statistically significant effect of the date of the first mating, as well as the birth date of the offspring, on the number of born and raised pups. The highest mean numbers of born and raised pups was observed for the females mated within the first term (until 5 March). Minimally lower values were achieved by those mated within the third term, and slightly lower by those mated within the second term. Definitely the lowest values, for the number of both born and raised pups, were found for the females that had been first

Key words: mink, mating term, whelping term, prolificacy..

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