FUR ANIMALS 



1395 



In all animal breeding it is vital to concentrate on as small a number 

 of objectives as possible. Measurements must be devised to evaluate 

 all these characteristics with greater certainty, especially fur quality. 

 Similarly, there should be measurements for efficiency of feed utiliza- 

 tion, since the cost of feeding is a large part of the cost of production. 

 Where genetic factors (genes) might be directly useful, as in the case 

 of coat colors, they should be determined so far as possible. They will 

 doubtless prove to be extremely complex, but the research on color 

 inheritance already described indicates that something may be done 

 to segregate definite traits of this kind and to breed for them. Mean- 

 time, to use breeding stock of proved performance, as determined by 

 the progeny test and by dependable records of parental characteristics, 

 would be to approach the problem in the way that has proved to be 

 of such great value in other branches of livestock breeding. 



3. Attention to nutrition. This article is concerned primarily with 

 breeding and genetic research, but in any comprehensive research 

 program, nutrition is equally important. Practically no fur-animal 

 research studies have been conducted on digestion and metabolism, 

 the chemical composition of foods, and the part played by various 

 foods in growth, fattening, maintenance, reproduction, and the eco- 

 nomical production of pelts of high quality. With few exceptions, 

 all fur animals are meat eaters. The maximum and minimum quan- 

 tities of red meat that can be fed during the various stages of develop- 

 ment should be determined. Some work has been done to determine 

 the value of cereals, vegetables, and protein supplements in the ration, 

 but it should be expanded. These and many more nutritional prob- 

 lems when adequately solved will enable fur-animal breeders to 

 proceed more surely, safely, and efficiently. 



Without extensive controlled experiments, all breeding and feeding- 

 practices are of a hit-or-miss nature. But experiments with fur 

 animals are exceptionally costly, not only in the matter of equipment, 

 but also in the time involved, for breeding stocks are expensive and 

 practically all species produce only one litter a year. In addition, 

 scientific training and the ability to conduct research are required, 

 and the economic results of any given project are by no means certain. 

 Private breeders therefore are not likely to do much experimenting, 

 because they must confine themselves to operations that are fairly 

 certain to produce immediate profits. Fur-farmers' organizations or 

 wealthy producers might undertake some forms of research work, but 

 men change their minds and associations change their policies, and 

 under these conditions there is no assurance of continuity. There are 

 many reasons why fur-animal research must be conducted primarily 

 by properly equipped public institutions, but this can be done only 

 in response to a sufficient public demand and with the active support 

 of those who have a stake in the industr}^. 



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