The Efficiency of Food Utilization and Energy Requirements of Captive Female Fishers

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Abstract
Sixteen complete digestibility, energy and N balance trials were used to determine the nutritive value of 4 diets fed to 4 captive female fishers (Martes pennanti). Diets consisting of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), small mammals (Microtus pennsylvanicus, Blarina brevicauda and Peromyscus leucopus or P. maniculatus) and coturnix quails (Coturnix coturnix) were fed separately in 4 series (time periods) to the experimental animals. Gross energy of diets was related positively to ether extract (fats) and negatively to ash percentages in diet dry matter. Dry matter intake per kilogram body weight0.75 did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) among treatments. Gross energy intake per kgW0.75 [body wt0.75] was higher (P < 0.05) on diets of deer and quails. Digestible, metabolizable and net energy values per gram of dry matter intake were higher (P < 0.05) for deer (5.98, 5.54, 4.30 kcal/g) and quails (6.12, 5.86, 5.27) than for hares (4.32, 3.64, 2.57) and small mammals (4.15, 3.80, 2.69). Efficiency of conversion of dietary N to body tissue was significantly greater on the hare ration.