Effects of Feeding Frequency and Intensity on Growth, Body Composition, Organ Scaling and Fur Quality of Farmed Raccoon Dogs

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Abstract
Effects of dietary dilution, plane of energy intake and meal frequency on growth, body composition, organ sizes and fur quality parameters were studied on farmed raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray 1834) during the growing period (July-November). Meal frequencies were manipulated by two fasting arrangements: (1) animals without feed twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday), but other days fed ad libitum, (2) two-day ration offered every other day. Feed dilution was achieved by mixing low-energetic brewers' mash (25%; w/w) with basal feed. Both the diluted and the basal diets were offered as restricted or ad libitum portions. Live weight curves of the experimental groups were similar (p>0.05). Energetic efficiency of the animals was clearly better on mash than on basal diet. Daily feed spillage was highest in mash groups whereas feed remains in these groups were the lowest. No significant differences in the carcass content of ash, lean or fatty tissues between different feeding groups were found. With increasing age (and body weight) the amounts of carcass ash, protein, fat and energy increased. In adult animals, there were a positive correlation between carcass weight and carcass energy (r=0.87), fat (r=0.83) and protein (r=0.82). In general, no marked differences in fur quality parameters between different groups were found—the only exception being animals fasted twice a week whose mass and quality of fur was poorer (p<0.05) than that in other groups. The quality of fur was better in animals of longer and heavier pelts, i.e. in animals of big body size. The weights of visceral organs in various feeding groups did not differ significantly from each other. This supports earlier findings that no reliable conclusions can be drawn regarding the previous dietary history of the animals from their organ sizes. It is concluded that raccoon dogs naturally are accustomed to utilize effectively the energy of meals irrespective of their frequencies. Thus, restricted feeding in an attempt to avoid excessive fattening probably results in a simultaneous restriction in protein accumulation, and in a smaller pelt size.