Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact

Fur-chewing is a common behavioral disorder developed by chinchillas kept in confinement that can indicate a past or present welfare problem. It also has a negative productive impact associated. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic component of fur-chewing, and the effect of this undes...

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Main Authors: Catalina González, José Manuel Yáñez, Tamara Tadich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/9/144
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author Catalina González
José Manuel Yáñez
Tamara Tadich
author_facet Catalina González
José Manuel Yáñez
Tamara Tadich
author_sort Catalina González
collection DOAJ
description Fur-chewing is a common behavioral disorder developed by chinchillas kept in confinement that can indicate a past or present welfare problem. It also has a negative productive impact associated. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic component of fur-chewing, and the effect of this undesired behavior on fur price in a commercial fur-farming system of chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). The data for the analysis was derived from a commercial population of 10,196 chinchillas, recorded between the years 1990 and 2011. For determining differences in fur price according to presence of fur-chewing behavior, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, considering 3007 animals. For estimation of variance components of fur-chewing a sire-dam threshold (probit) mixed model was used, using data of 9, 033 individuals, and then heritability on the underlying liability scale was calculated. The analysis revealed a significant negative impact on fur price from fur-chewing chinchillas (p-value < 0.05). In addition, the study showed that fur-chewing presents significant genetic variation, with an estimated heritability of 0.16. The presentation of fur-chewing should be taken into account when selecting broodstock in these systems, in order to reduce the number of affected individuals.
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spelling doaj.art-21479242795a45b2bc956aaf3954ed962022-12-21T20:11:02ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152018-08-018914410.3390/ani8090144ani8090144Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic ImpactCatalina González0José Manuel Yáñez1Tamara Tadich2Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, ChileDepartamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, ChileDepartamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, ChileFur-chewing is a common behavioral disorder developed by chinchillas kept in confinement that can indicate a past or present welfare problem. It also has a negative productive impact associated. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic component of fur-chewing, and the effect of this undesired behavior on fur price in a commercial fur-farming system of chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). The data for the analysis was derived from a commercial population of 10,196 chinchillas, recorded between the years 1990 and 2011. For determining differences in fur price according to presence of fur-chewing behavior, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, considering 3007 animals. For estimation of variance components of fur-chewing a sire-dam threshold (probit) mixed model was used, using data of 9, 033 individuals, and then heritability on the underlying liability scale was calculated. The analysis revealed a significant negative impact on fur price from fur-chewing chinchillas (p-value < 0.05). In addition, the study showed that fur-chewing presents significant genetic variation, with an estimated heritability of 0.16. The presentation of fur-chewing should be taken into account when selecting broodstock in these systems, in order to reduce the number of affected individuals.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/9/144chinchillawelfarefur-chewingabnormal behaviorfur priceheritability
spellingShingle Catalina González
José Manuel Yáñez
Tamara Tadich
Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact
Animals
chinchilla
welfare
fur-chewing
abnormal behavior
fur price
heritability
title Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact
title_full Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact
title_fullStr Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact
title_full_unstemmed Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact
title_short Determination of the Genetic Component of Fur-Chewing in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Its Economic Impact
title_sort determination of the genetic component of fur chewing in chinchillas chinchilla lanigera and its economic impact
topic chinchilla
welfare
fur-chewing
abnormal behavior
fur price
heritability
url http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/9/144
work_keys_str_mv AT catalinagonzalez determinationofthegeneticcomponentoffurchewinginchinchillaschinchillalanigeraanditseconomicimpact
AT josemanuelyanez determinationofthegeneticcomponentoffurchewinginchinchillaschinchillalanigeraanditseconomicimpact
AT tamaratadich determinationofthegeneticcomponentoffurchewinginchinchillaschinchillalanigeraanditseconomicimpact