Development of a method of testing enrichment in WelFur-Mink

The WelFur-Mink protocol categorizes different types of enrichment in the cages in three levels based on the available knowledge of their importance to animal welfare. This knowledge is not always uniform and comparable, which means that even enrichments that have been scientifically investigated can be difficult to place unambiguously. Enrichments that have not been studied are placed in the lowest category. In addition, the additive value of Enrichment No. 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 is rarely studied and must therefore be based on a qualified estimate. Based on this, the purpose is to develop and test a method of testing and categorizing enrichments for mink. The method must ensure that existing as well as new types of enrichment used in mink production are categorized on a comparable basis and that the value of multiple enrichments for the same animals can be categorized correctly in the WelFur-mink protocol. For mink farmers, it will also contribute with knowledge about which kind of enrichment that has the greatest importance to animal welfare, and thereby the WelFur-Mink categorization.
In 2018, a concept is developed for a method of testing enrichment. In 2019 the focus is on developing and testing cages that support tests of many different types of enrichments in a way that allows automatic registration of relevant parameters. These activities are expected to continue in 2020, where there is also a focus on testing and categorizing various kinds of enrichment, as well as the additive effect of several enrichment.

The project is financed by Pelsdyrafgiftsfonden