Estimation of the human factor in the form of litter size regulation for the weaning results in mink

Estimation of the human factor in the form of litter size regulation for the weaning results in mink. Results of studies on farm animals indicate that proper human behavior may bring about better parameters with respect to animal breeding. The aim of the study was to attempt to establish whether mink breeding ef ciency is inuenced by undertaking measures with a view to regulating litter size. Each time the regulation of litters resulted from a direct decision of employee, hence it can be treated as the effect of a human factor. Data derived from evaluation cards for standard-colored one-year female mink (1,500 cards in total) were compared by two teams (team A: 748 cards, team B: 752 cards, respectively). During the initial inspection of each litter the number of young live born kits was counted and the employees decided whether to introduce measures with respect to regulating litter size (either add or subtract kits) or whether to leave the litter as is, sans intervention. The evaluation of the number of weaned kits has allowed us to compare both teams with respect to the resulting breeding ef ciency, as well as evaluate the ef ciency of the regulatory measures (modeling) themselves with respect to litter size. The analysis of the received results did not show the existence of the in uence of the human factor, which is the modeling of litters on the rearing results. The obtained results indicate that in both teams employees approached in a similar manner the decision regarding the need to model litters. The possibility of making such conclusion is indicated by comparable weaning results received in both teams, both in the group of modeled and non-modeled animals. When compared teams, team A obtained better results (P = 0.047), however, in none of the analyzed subgroups compared teams (A and B) were found statistically signi cant differences in weaning results.