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Niedbala Piotr, Warecki Dariusz, Szeleszczuk Olga ©
Agricultural University, Krakow, Poland
THE INTENSITY OF REPRODUCTION UTILIZATION OF BREEDING RACCOON DOG MALES ON SELECTED FARMS
In domestic and foreign scientific literature there is a lack of precise elaborations regarding results of reproduction males' racoon dogs: the length of sexual activity, the number of completed copulations, their efficiency, the number of born and weaned progeny count per jump as well as on the day of sexual activity. The aim of this paper was analysis of these parameters on selected farms. Based on data coming from breeding cards and farms' documentation, it was shown that; mean sexual activity of males' racoon dogs during season was 17.3days. At this time males completed over 10 copulations. Annually from each of male 16pups were born and almost 13weaned.
Key words: raccoon dog, male, reproduction, intensity
Introduction. Racoon dogs were imported to Poland as last species fur breeding animals. Their breeding equally in our country as well as in the world wasn't and is not widely spread. Small number of scientific centres which carry out investigations on this species caused, that only a few publications were published regarding racoon dog reproduction (Niedbala, 2003; Szeleszczuk et al., 2003; Zon et al., 1989). Also National Centre for Animal Breeding in Warszawa, in their annually rapports publish results of reproduction only females racoon dogs from a few farms, which are under yield control. Such guides do not contain any information regarding racoon dog males. Also some books very shabbily publish information about intensity of males' utilization. The only article by Gawarecki and Barabasz (1982) inform about results of reproduction of first racoon dogs imported to Poland in1979. So we undertook a trial to analyse basic parameters related to reproduction of males of this species.
The aim. The aim of this paper was tracing of reproduction utilization of male racoon dogs on selected farms. In addition to we try to define the length of sexual activity, the number of completed copulations, their effectiveness, and number of born and weaned progeny.
Material and methods. The investigations were carried out on two farms of breeding racoon dogs in south-eastern Poland, differentiating the size of basis flock. The animals were kept on both farms in standard cages, in pavilion system. There were fed using farm fodder according to the recommended norms required for this species in respective breeding periods. Through correct conditioning there were prepared correctly to copulation season.
The investigations were carried out based on results from the years 1998 -2004. On the first farm (Farm A) 35 males were tested, which covered 166 females.
© Niedbala Piotr, Warecki Dariusz, Szeleszczuk Olga, 2008
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On the second farm (Farm B) 129 males were tested, which covered in total 952 females. First cover of each male was treated as a blank, what resulted from the fact of seasonal semen production by reproductive system. Own remarks allow to state that first ejaculation can be treated as cleaning and make passable ejaculatory ducts for semen.
The calculations of certain parameters of male racoon dogs' reproductive utilization were done based on breeding documentation and farm notes. It was analysed:
1. The length of sexual activity period during season
2. The number of copulations completed and their effectiveness
3. The number of born and weaned progeny also calculated per copulation and
one day of sexual activity
Obtained results were analysed statistically using SAS suite version 6.03.1987. The results were presented as means and standard deviation.
Results of researches. The first and elementary condition of choice of young animal to the base flock is it size and great value of fur coat. Later can be considering proper constitution and functioning of reproductive system, which can be verified in the nearest copulation season. In the case of older individuals deciding is their activity and obtained reproduction results in the last copulation season. All literature publications even if: Frindt (1996), Kuzniewicz and Filistowicz (1999) announced, that the length of utilization period of racoon dogs' males shouldn't exceed 6 - 7 years. In both farms, the maximum length of this period was only 5 years. The results presents table 1. The degree of polygamy on Farm A run from 1:1.9 to 1:2.7 and was alike what published Gawarecki and Barabasz (1982). On the Farm B was much higher from 1:3.5 to 1:5.1 and was much closer to those what published Jarosz (1993).
One with the first parameters analyzed, was the length of sexual activity i.e. the length of period from the moment of beginning (first cover) to the end of activity (last cover). On that score both farms did not differ considerably form each other. The difference was only by 1.77 days. Analyzed material showed that more then half of males was active from 8 to 20 days so much longer in comparison to Frindt (1996) from 2 to 10, and only somewhat shorter from that described by Gawarecki and Barabasz (1982).
Zaj^c et al. (1994) published, that males of racoon dogs' can be very active, can cover even a dozen or so females. On both farms did not affirm such large number of copulations completed by one breeder. The highest number of copulations was completed by the male from Farm B (29 covers). Such a large number of copulations can be explained by a high sexual drive as well as it short duration. As it is well known racoon dog copulation is much shorter than in other canines and often during it there is no coitus (Gawarecki and Barabasz, 1982). The average male in tested farms completed over 10 copulations during season, from which 8 were successful. It is not a great result. For the value of coefficient of efficiency (ratio of all jumps to effective jumps) resulted mainly males from Farm A, where the degree of polygamy was much less. The average coefficient reached the vale 80.8%. The differences between farms can result for a few reasons. For this value may also
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influenced females destroying litters immediately after birth, as well as breeders' experience. The Farm B led breeding of racoon dogs since 1989.
Table 1.
The sexual activity of racoon dog males in statistical reproduction season.
Item Farm Mean SD Minimum Maximum
Number of male A 14,4 2,3 12 17
B 34,4 24,06 8 75
Duration of utilization A 2,71 1,25
B 1,95 1,03
Degree of polygamy A 2,3 0,3 1,9 2,5
B 4,2 0,63 3,5 5,1
Duration of activity (days) A 15,99 10 11,83 21,19
B 17,76 8,42 14,9 28,25
Razem 17,35 8,82 The best male - 35
Number of copulations A 6,9 4,08 5,82 8,06
B 11,37 5,87 10,14 14,75
Razem 10,34 5,83 The best male - 29
Efficiency of copulations A 85,11 23,7 64,44 100
B 80,07 22,71 46,59 90,1
Razem 80,84 22,92 The best male - 100
For the breeder the most important indicator of males' reproductive utilisation, particular the most valuable, is the number and quality of born and weaned pedigree. From our investigation, it is clear, that indicators can differ between each other in the next years as well as within particular farms and between them. Total on the Farm A 764 pups was born, from which 77% weaned. Of course the highest influence on the number of born pups has females, which gave a birth and weaned their litters. It can not be excluded the male influence on this value. On the Farm B 4481 pups was born and weaned similar like on Farm A - 76.6%. Annually copulating male was a father only of 10.61 pups, and on the second farm more by 8 individuals. Total during investigating period within one season after one breeder was born average 16.76 pups (Table 2). Obtained the pups number is only by one individual higher when compared to common foxes. Socha and Jezewska (2000) published that can be 15.72 cubs. Potential possibilities are much higher, what can be showed by individual results of the most outstanding breeder (54 born cubs). As a result of one copulation from majority of males it was possible to obtain from 1.07 -2.16 cubs (the most 4.5 individuals) and per one day of activity only 1 cub.
Table 2.
Item Farm Mean SD Minimum Maximum
Per male A 10,61 9,74 8,67 13,73
B 18,59 13,62 11,82 31,25
Razem 16,76 13,26 The best male - 54
Per copulation A 1,54 1,14 1,16 2,04
B 1,64 0,91 1,07 2,16
Razem 1,62 0,98 The best male - 4,5
Per day of activity A 0,66 0,66 0,51 0,96
B 1,05 0,73 0,67 1,71
Razem 1,0 0,73 The best male - 1,6
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From the point of view of breeder, the more born pups' the better, but the most effective copulation season depends on the number of breeding young posses. As it is known the number of weaned pups is lower in comparison to the born, as it took place in case of females. Jezewska et al., (1991) published that average female gave birth from 4 to 8 pups, and from this group they wean only 3.3 - 5.6 individuals. It reflects also the results obtained from breeders. Presented above the number of born pups (16.76) could be weaned 12.84 individuals, less by 33% (table 3).
Table 3.
The number of pups weaned during reproduction season
Item Farm Mean SD Minimum Maximum
Per male A 8,17 7,74 6,53 11,67
B 14,24 11,93 9,67 29,04
Razem 12,84 11,39 The best male - 43
Per copulation A 1,18 0,9 0,9 1,73
B 1,25 0,84 0,89 2
Razem 1,24 0,85 The best male - 3,5
Per day of activity A 0,51 0,47 0,38 0,81
B 0,8 0,65 0,54 1,59
Razem 0,74 0,62 The best male - 3,5
This indicator was similar on both farms. It needs to be emphasis that it is very high percent of mortality. It is not occurring at such height in case of common foxes, where it is three times lower (Socha and Jezewska, 2000). Maybe it is here clearly marked the influence of inbreeding in the pack of racoon dogs in our country. These same authors showed that from native males of common foxes can be obtained by 2.4 pups less than from half-imports and by 6.75 less than pure imports. Similar situation take shape in case of pups weaned on copulation and day of sexual activity, respectively 1.24 and 0.74 of pup. Conclusions.
1. Mean annually racoon dog sexual activity on selected farms was 17. 3 days. During this time they completed over 10 copulations, with over 80% effectiveness.
2. Annually from one male can be obtained 16.76 pups born, what give 1.62 individuals per copulation and one on day of sexual activity.
3. Annually from one male obtained 12.84 individuals of weaned progeny, what gives 1.24 individuals per copulation and 0.74 individuals per day of sexual activity.
Reference
1. Frindt A. 1996. Chow jenotow. SGGW Warszawa
2. Gawarecki J., Barabasz B. 1982. Wyniki rozrodu jenotow na fermie w Wiartlu. Hodowca Drobnego Inwentarza, 30, 9, 13-15.
3. Jarosz S. 1993. Hodowla zwierz^t futerkowych. Panstwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe Warszawa.
4. Jezewska G., Kotula I., Maciejowski J., Socha S. 1991. Charakterystyka rozrodu jenotow w warunkach fermowych. Zeszyty Naukowe PTZ 5, 92 - 98.
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5. Kuzniewicz J., Filistowicz A. 1999. Chow i hodowla zwierz^t futerkowych. Wydawnictwo Akademii Rolniczej we Wroclawiu
6. Niedbal^ P. 2003. Wlasciwosci biologiczne i biochemiczne oraz przydatnosc do mrozenia nasienia jenotow hodowlanych (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray). Maszynopis AR Krakow.
7. Socha S., Jezewska G. 2000. Wykorzystanie rozplodowe samcow lisow pospolitych (Vulpes vulpes L.) w zaleznosci od wieku i pochodzenia. Zeszyty Naukowe PTZ 53, 105 - 113.
8. Szeleszczuk O., Witowska J., Zurek H. 2003. Uzytkowanie rozplodowe samic jenotow na fermie Wladkowice. Roczniki Naukowe Zootechniki Sup. 17/2, 561 - 564.
9. Zaj^c J., Niedzwiadek S., Bielanski P. 1994. Zasady racjonalnego chowu jenotow. Wydawnictwo Instytutu Zootechniki w Krakowie, 1 - 3.
10. Zon A., Bielanski P., Niedzwiadek S. 1989. Study on the system of miting the Raccoon dog (Nyctereutesprocyonoides). Scientifur, 13, 2 141 - 144.
Summary
The analysis was done based on data from 1998 - 2004. The total of 35 males on farm A and 129 from Farm B. Calculation of particular indicators of reproduction utilization of males was completed on the base of breeding documentation and farm notes.
The length of sexual activity on both farms was alike. On the farm A the animals were active annually through 16 days and by 1.77 days longer on the farm B. The group of females in Wlodkowice was more numerous, what allow increasing the degree of polygamy from 2.3 to 4.2. After consideration, that more than half of males is active from 8 to 20 days, it could be accepted that in south-eastern Poland the length of sexual activity is average about 17 days in a year. The most of covers as many as 34 copulations in the season completed male coming from the farm B, 29 of them were effective. The average male completed over 10 copulations during season (average from 6.9 on A till 11.4 on B). The effective copulations comprised over 80.8% completed.
One with the most important indicator of male reproductive utilization is number and quality of born and weaned pedigree. These indicators differ in the next years within the farms and between them. In total during investigation, during one season after one breeder was born average16.76 pups. From one copulation can be obtain 1.62 of pup, what give 2 individuals per effective copulation and 1 per day of sexual activity. From one male 12.84 pups were weaned annually and respectively 1.24 individuals per one copulation, and per day of activity this indicator reached value 0.74 pup.
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