A survey assessment of the incidence of fur-chewing in commercial chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) farms.

PONZIO M.F; BUSSO J.M.; RUIZ R.D,; FIOL DE CUNEO M

ANIMAL WELFARE

Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, UK.

Lugar: Hertfordside; Año: 2007 vol. 16 p. 471 - 471

0962-7286

hinchilla lanigera intensive breeding programmes are affected by an abnormal repetitive behaviour called ‘fur-chewing’, yet the aetiology is still unknown and little scientific work has been published on this condition. Recent studies have supported the idea that fur-chewing is a stress-related behaviour. In the present study, we used a questionnaire survey in order to: 1) describe general aspects on the epidemiology of fur-chewing in Argentinian farms, and 2) identify which management and/or environmental factors within the breeding facilities may be influencing the occurrence of fur-chewing. The survey consisted of 28 questions focused onfarm characteristics, environmental variables and husbandry routines, and was distributed to Argentinian chinchilla farmers. All quantitative variables were tested in a multiple logistic regression model. The mean incidence of fur-chewing was 4.32 ± 0.37% (n = 107 farms). Variables negatively related to fur-chewing were the breeder experience