Behavioural responses of farm mink towards familiar and novel food.

Abstract The study aimed to (i) describe the response of farmed mink towards familiar and novel food, and (ii) assess the suitability of using novel food in order to measure fear responses in mink. A total of 48 farm mink from two behaviourally selected genetic lines were caged individually with one standardised daily feeding. The experimental feedings were carried out in a balanced order on 2 successive days. Behaviour of the mink was video recorded for 10 min after food provision. In general, the mink were reluctant to approach and eat the novel food compared to familiar food, which indicates a neophobic feeding strategy, i.e. increased latency to come close to ( P P P P