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The aim of this study was to compare major biochemical properties of nutria meat with relevant composition and texture data of rabbit carcasses. The meat from nutria m. semimembranosus (MS; thigh muscle) contained 29.54% dry matter (DM), 20.05% total protein (TP), 7.83% total fat (TF) and 1.23% total ash (TA). The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) was lower in nutria than in rabbit meat (0.55-0.58 and 0.93-0.94, respectively). The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was 15.3 (MS) and 11.22 (m. longissimus dorsi, MLD; loin) in nutria meat and 7.55 and 8.08 respectively in rabbit meat, which appeared more beneficial for the consumer. Among the most important texture parameters, hardness ranged from 66 for MS to 73 N for MLD, and overall chewiness was 23 N. The collagen content was between 0.68 and 0.72%. The results show that in comparison with rabbit meat, nutria meat has valuable properties and is recommended for the human diet.

The aim of the study was to assess the extent of fur chewing problems on chinchilla farms. The research was based on a 20-question survey addressed to breeders. A total of 47 anonymous questionnaires were answered. Results showed that the problem of fur chewing was found in as many as 85% of the farms but the proportion of affected animals was usually low (mean±SE: 3.5±0.55%). To determine the relationship between herd size and the extent of the problem, the Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to be r = -0.315 (P≤0.05), possibly indicating the problem to be more severe on smaller farms. No correlation was found between fur chewing and the type of fodder (pellets from different producers), temperature, humidity, type of cage equipment or frequency of dust baths. Moreover, the level of fur-biting animals kept on a deep-litter floor was estimated at 1.7% while the level of those kept on a wire floor and in a mixed system was 2.8-times higher (P≤0.05). The fact that 37.5% of the respondents perceived the predisposition to fur chewing to be hereditary was an important observation suggesting a direction for further research. A considerable proportion of those surveyed (37.5%) also pointed to a greater excitability among fur chewers. To sum up, results of the present study revealed that keeping animals on litter reduces the incidence of fur chewing. Breeders’ observations also suggest that fur biting may be determined genetically and/or connected with impulsive-compulsive disorders; however, more detailed studies are necessary to confirm these hypotheses.

Even though chinchillas have been farmed for a century, there are not many studies concerning their behaviour in captivity or their optimal housing conditions, both of which are important factors in the assessment of their welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different cage types on chinchillas’ behaviour and their reactions towards humans. Female chinchillas (n = 12) were kept in three types of cages: standard with a wire floor (S); standard with a deep litter floor of shavings (SR); and enlarged with a deep litter floor of shavings (LR). Animals spent 11 weeks in each type of cage. The chinchillas’ reactions toward humans were observed via intruder test. Ethograms were prepared based on round-the-clock video recordings. The activity of the chinchillas was compared, taking into account the different cage types and the animals’ varying responses to the hand test. The generalized ordered logistic regression model was used to ascertain whether cage type has an effect on a chinchilla’s behaviour towards humans. To compare the time distribution of various activity between chinchillas, the non-parametric Scheirer–Ray–Hare test was used. Animals kept in LR cages presented significantly less timid reactions in comparison to those kept in S and SR cages. The chinchillas spent most of their time resting (68% of the day), in locomotion (23%), and eating or drinking (8%); they spent only 1% on grooming behaviour. Cage enrichment generally reduced the fear of humans. However, the average chinchilla response to the hand test was classified in each type of cage as “cautious”. Analyses of the ethograms indicated that the chinchillas were active mostly during the dark stage of the day. In conclusion, the larger cage size and its enrichment (particularly litter) reduced the fearfulness and passivity of the animals, which could be evidence of better welfare conditions.

The aim of the current study was to assess the influence of embryonic exposure to cadmium on basic and derived erythrocyte indices, the morphology and morphometric properties of erythrocytes, as well as erythrocyte spectrin distribution in newly hatched Gallus gallus domesticus chicks. The eggs were injected with cadmium (Cd) at a dose of 2 µg, 4 µg, 6 µg, or 8 µg per egg on the sixth day of incubation. Blood samples were collected on the first day after hatching. Exposure to cadmium resulted in higher levels of red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit value, while derived erythrocyte indices were lower (mean corpuscular volume) or higher (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) in comparison to the control. These changes occurred in animals exposed to higher doses of this toxic agent. In cadmium-treated individuals (2 and 8 µg of Cd), the percentage of erythrocytes which exhibited changed shape increased. Increases in the length (6 and 8 µg) and width (2, 6, and 8 µg) of erythrocytes and the length and width of the nucleus (2–8 µg) of red blood cells were observed. Changes in spectrin distribution were also observed, which indicate alterations at structural and molecular levels.