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The Protein Requirement of Growing Foxes

Three Figures

Bureau of Animal Industry, Agricultural Research Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York^,2

Two experiments were conducted with a total of 248 fox pups to determine the protein requirements of young foxes during two periods of growth, 50 to 161 and 162 to 259 days of age. Protein was fed at 17.4, 22.9, 28.8, 34.3 and 40.7% levels for all growth periods in 1944. In 1945 protein at 16.4, 19.1, 22.0, 24.5, 27.2, 33.2 and 38.4% levels was fed for the period from 50 to 161 days of age. From 162 to 259 days, a 14.1% level was added and the 24.5% level eliminated. Controls were given a standard Station diet containing 27.4% protein.

Growth, balance and carcass analyses were made for each period of growth.

The requirement of protein to promote maximum nitrogen storage in a fox pup between the ages of 50 and 161 days is above 40.7% in the dry diet, but 28% of protein produced as rapid growth as higher intakes.

It is suggested that growing foxes between 50 to 161 days of age should be given a nutrient allowance of 25 to 34% protein in their diets on a dry basis. This amount of protein is not enough to promote maximum storage of nitrogen, but foxes fed at these levels were as large at pelting time and had fully as good pelts as those fed larger amounts of protein. Since the animals are raised for their pelts only, it is possible to underfeed protein during the early stages of growth without detrimental results, if it is more economical.

Between the ages of 162 to 259 days of age fox pups should have a nutrient allowance of from 19 to 25% protein in their diets on a dry basis.

Male fox pups grew more rapidly and were larger than female fox pups at pelting time and they tended to have a slightly higher requirement for protein than females during the early stages of growth.

² At the time this work was conducted the Station was under the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. It is now under the Bureau of Animal Industry, Agricultural Research Administration, Department of Agriculture.

Manuscript received 25 July 1950.