Fur Farming / A book of Information about Fur Bearing Animals, Enclosures, Habits, Care, etc.

New Brunswick a very small variety having a fine silky fur of a very dark shade; farther west and south a somewhat larger variety, paler in color, and thruout the Mississippi

poor quality. One or more varieties are found in almost every part of the United States, Canada and Alaska. Wherever there is running water their tracks m

not hesitate to leave the stream and cut across country in order to reach some other water-course. During the mating season they also wander away from the streams more than at other times.

t two months after it becomes prime, which in the north will be about November 1st, and in the south perhaps a month later. After the first two months, the fur commences to fade, especially where the country is open and the animal is exposed to t

hungry, they prefer strictly fresh food. Occasionally they will pay a visit to the poultry house, for like most animals of the weasel family, they have a decided

ll travel long distances in a night. They are perhaps most active during the fal

requently inhabit deserted dens of other animals, but always near the water. It is in these

en confined in enclosures where the diet, water and temperature are similar with each animal, there is so little difference in

mother begins to feed them meat, and they learn to suck at it before they have teeth to eat it. The young are fed by the mother on frogs, fish, mice, etc., until they are three

n as the den becomes foul, the mother

city, that long for some way to profitably spend their idle time. I will

n with their dams. The streams must be quietly watched for mink trails, and these, if possible, tracked to the nest. When they leave the hole, the young ones may be secured, or th

rear them successfully if large numbers are kept together constantly; therefore, their enclosure should be a large one. The male and the female s

rom carrying mud and water into it. The young mink, when first born, are small and delicate, destitute of any kind of fur and much resemble young rats. If the old mink is tame, the young ones may be taken out of the nest and handled when they are three weeks old. They will soon

, should run the entire length of pen at rear side; one end of the trough should be made several inches lower than the other, so that the water could be drawn off. With this arrangement the water can be turned in at one end of trough, and be drawn off and changed as often as desired. The lower end of the trough should be a little deeper than the other end to prev

losure i

that they have an abundance of pure soft water, fresh air, desirable shade and plenty of exercise. These conditions secure for the mink a good quality of

ould be separate apartments for the males and females, and also some smaller breeding pens. As it is not advisable to attempt handling the animals, each compartment should be provided with a small gate so that the animals may be

ted to all parts. While the mink is always found near the water, it is not a water animal, as is the muskrat, and a large body

ood will be more difficult than in the case of the skunk and muskrat. As they are fond of fish, if one is near a place where they may be obtained, the

are born generally being in the ground. When the animals become tame enough, the raiser should provide dens similar to those used in their wild state. These ca

oving at their own free will. This only brings out more forcibly the fact that those who are going to be the most successful mink raisers should have a natural aptitude for the business-trappers, hunters, animal lovers, etc. Who has made the greatest success at raising stock in your neighborhood-the man who lo