Anticipatory behaviour and stereotypical behaviour in farmed mink ( Mustela vison) in the presence, absence and after the removal of swimming water

Abstract

Captive animals are often provided with cage enrichments in order to improve their welfare. Swimming water is an often-discussed requirement for farmed mink. The present study aimed to give insight into the value of swimming water for farmed mink by measuring anticipatory and stereotypical behaviour in subjects raised and housed in the presence and absence of swimming water and in subjects that were deprived of swimming water. The major findings of the present experiments are that: (1) there was no significant difference in anticipatory behaviour between subjects reared and housed in the presence or absence of swimming water; nor was there a significant difference in anticipatory behaviour after removing the water for 2.5 weeks, (2) there was no significant difference in stereotypical behaviour in winter in the presence, absence and after 2.5 months deprivation of swimming water, and finally, (3) there was no significant correlation between anticipatory activity and stereotypical behaviour. The results suggest that mink might not experience consequences, in the sense of increased reward-sensitivity or stereotypy levels, due to the absence of swimming water if they never experienced this incentive before, and that swimming water and an empty bath, such as used in this experiment, might be equally valued incentives for mink.