title: Effects of social competition for feed on growth of farmed raccoon dogs.
abstract: To test whether or not social competition influences food consumption and growth in farmed raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Gray 1834), animals were placed singly, in pairs and by threes in standard cages and fed ad libitum or restricted feed portions. Daily feed intake of single, ad libitum freely fed animals, 930 +/- 150 g, was significantly more than that of animals caged in pairs (750 +/- 45 g) or by threes (730 +/- 210 g). Animals on restricted feeding consumed all the feed supplied, i.e. 550 g per animal daily. Higher feed intake was associated with a poorer apparent digestibility of protein, fat, carbohydrates and energy during the period of maximal growth rate in August. Approximately the same final body weights were achieved despite of the number of animals per cage. Animals on ad libitum feeding tended to be heavier than those of restricted feeding. However, the interindividual variation in body size was large even in single animals fed ad libitum. No significant interactions between social status and feed availability were found, i.e. the shortage of feed affected equally all social classes. No marked differences in foot length or skin quality between experimental groups were found.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002335:Carnivora / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size