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This study was designed to evaluate the enrichment value of a wooden block (30 cm long×4 cm in diameter) and straw for growing farm-bred male blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Comparisons were made between animals provided with these enrichments at 7 weeks and 15 weeks of age. Various behavioural, physiological, and haematological variables as well as fur and teeth characteristics were assessed. The foxes showed significantly higher motivation to interact with the block than with the straw. The novelty response to block manipulation was higher when the block was given to foxes at 15 weeks than at 7 weeks of age. In straw groups no actual age effect was observed. Both the wooden block and the straw appeared to stimulate particularly the occurrence of play behaviour, which can be considered an indicator of good welfare. Significant differences were not found between the experimental groups in the novel object (ball) in-cage test. However, a slight tendency for increased explorative activity and shorter latency to object sniffing in the open field test were evident in the block animals. The wooden block was found effectively to prevent the accumulation of dental plaque and development of hypertrophia gingiva. However, both the block and the straw markedly increased the incidence of hyperaemia in the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestine. This may explain the lower weight development in these groups than in the controls. Significant differences were not found between the experimental groups in blood screen (haemoglobin, white blood cells, red blood cells, haematocrit) or in the cortisol:creatinine ratio analysed from 24-h urine. The body-weight-related adrenal weight, however, tended to be lowest in the block animals. Furthermore, the presence of a wooden block in a cage significantly reduced the amount of oral stereotypies during the latter part of the growing season. Significant differences did not exist in economically important fur characteristics (quality, mass, cover). It is suggested that further studies on alternative chewing objects should be conducted before introducing such environmental enrichments into farming practice.

Welfare-related physiological and behavioural responses were studied in farmbred blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Comparisons in space quantity were made between two different-sized shed cages (50 cm long (W50) and 120 cm long (W120); each 105 cm wide ✕ 70 cm high) and for one out-of-shed pen (5 m long ✕ 3 m wide ✕ 1·8 m high; W500). Each option had a wire-mesh floor. Furthermore, we tested how floor material affects responses by comparing the W500 foxes in wire-mesh floor pens with foxes housed in earthen floor pens (E500: 5 m long ✕ 3 m wide ✕ 1·8 m high). Each test group comprised 20 juvenile males maintained in pairs. The experiments lasted from weaning in July to pelting in December. Final body weights of the W500 foxes were significantly lower than those of the W50 or W120 foxes. Claw length of back foot was longer for E500 than for W500 foxes. Posture of front feet was the most folded for W50 and the least folded for E500 foxes. Breaking strength of tibia was highest for foxes housed on the earthen floor (E500). Gastrocnemius muscle succinate dehydrogenase activity tended to decrease and the number of leucocytes tended to increase with cage size. Alanine-aminotransferase and aspartate-amino transferase activities were significantly higher in foxes housed in shed cages (W50, W120) than in enclosures (W500, E500). Creatine-kinase activity tended to decline with increasing cage size. Highest and lowest open field activity was found for E500 and W50 foxes in both wire-mesh and earthen floor test arenas. Some differences were found in body weight-related organ sizes between groups. Heart weight was significantly higher in W500 than in W50 or W120 foxes. Brain weight was significantly lower in W50 than in W500 foxes. Liver weight increased with increasing cage size. Capture time was significantly lower for W50 and W120 foxes than for W500 or E500 foxes. Cortisol levels after capture were significantly higher in foxes from enclosures (W500, E500) than in those from shed cages (W50, W120), but after ACTH stimulation the levels were similar in each group. Rectal temperatures after restraint were highest in foxes from W500. Fur properties of W500 and E500 foxes were poorer than those of W50 or W120 foxes.

Summary Human, strike, pencil, confrontation, feeding, and disturbance tests were used to study fear‐motivated behaviour in farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes), housed with and without wooden platforms. The results showed that the number of fearful animals was highest and lowest in the confrontation and feeding tests, respectively. Foxes that had used platforms most frequently before the behavioural tests, were also most often found on platforms during the tests. Temperament differences between control and platform animals were slight. Only the human test gave statistically significant (p < 0.05) confirmation that animals housed with platforms were less fearful of humans than those housed without platforms. The fear index (FI), based on all other tests except for the disturbance test, showed that the number of fearless individuals was equal (FI = 0.50) in both the platform and control groups. Regardless of the testing, breedings and whelpings succeeded equally well in fearful and fearless vixens. Only the feeding test showed a tendency (p < 0.08) for higher kit mortality in fearful vixens. During severe disturbances, 47.4% of the experimental animals used the platforms for hiding. It is obvious that the temperament of farmed silver foxes is not substantially affected by the presence of a platform in the cage, but that platforms would otherwise promote animal welfare by providing the possibility for more complex behaviours and a place of refuge. Zusammenfassung Temperament und Fortpflanzungserfolg bei Silberfüchsen‐altung mit und ohne Plattformen Menschen, Schlag‐, Bleistift‐, Kampf‐Futter‐ und Störungstests wurden zur Untersuchung Angstmotivierten Verhaltens von Silberfüchsen (Vulpes vulpes) angewendet, die in Käfigen mit und ohne Holzplattformen gehalten worden sind. Die Zahl ängstlicher Tiere ist am höchsten bzw. niedrigsten in den Kampf‐bzw. Futtertests. Füchse, die Plattformen vor den Verhaltenstests verwendet hatten, waren am häufigsten auch auf diesen während der Tests. Temperamentunterschiede zwischen Kontrol‐ und Plattformtieren waren geringfügig. Nur der Menschentest ergab statistisch signifikante (p < 0,05) Bestätigung daß Tiere in mit Plattform versehenen Käfigen weniger ängstlich waren, als jene ohne Plattform. Der Furchtindex (FI) ermittelt aus allen anderen außer dem Störtest, zeigte, daß die Zahl furchtloser Tiere gleich war (FI = 0,5) in Plattform‐ und in Kontrollgruppen. Unabhängig vom Testen waren Befruchtung und Geburten in ängstlichen und angstfreien Füchsinnen gleich erfolgreich. Nur beim Fütterungstest ergab sich eine Tendenz (p < 0,08) zu höherer Welpenmortalität in furchtsamen Füchsinnen. Von den Versuchstieren verwendeten 47,4% der Tiere Plattformen zum Verstecken während starker Störungen. Es scheint offensichtlich, daß das Temperament von Silberfüchsen durch Plattformen nicht substantiell tangiert wird, aber Plattformen sind in anderer Weise für das Verhalten der Tiere günstig, weil sie die Möglichkeit komplexeren Verhaltens und einen Fluchtplatz bieten.