SUCCESSFUL MINK FARMING 28.") 



SUCCESSFUL "MI'NK FARMING" IN ICAVA. 



B. H. BAILEY. 



Through the kindness of Prof. C. C. Nutting, Senator Lam- 

 bert and his brother, Mr. C. Lambert, of Sabula, Iowa, the writ- 

 er was afforded an opportunity to visit and study the "mink 

 farm'' owned by ^Ir. C. Lambert and J. E. Densmore, of Sabula, 

 Iowa. 



The mink has been regarded as one of the most difficult ani- 

 mals to rear in captivity, owing to its natural temper and 

 habits, but the present successful effort which was started in 

 1910 has added not a little to our knowledge of the mink in 

 captivity and the best methods of handling it. 



There are at present in this "minkery" thirty-seven indi- 

 viduals. These are all in perfect health and under absolute con- 

 trol of the owners. The individual cages in which they are 

 kept insure the isolation which is natural to the animals in their 

 native state, and at the same time afford an opportunity for 

 close observation of each individual as well as a perfect control 

 of each in feeding and breeding. 



The first litter of six young was born in captivity May 7. 

 1910. They were the offspring of a female which was secured 

 by trapping. Only three out of the thirty-seven which now oc- 

 cupy the cages were trapped. The rest have all been born in 

 captivity. The advantage of having minks raised in captivity 

 for breeding purposes rather than those that have been trapped, 

 lies in the fact that they are more docile, and having known no 

 other home do not seek In escape. An excellent illustration of 

 this fact came under the observation of the owners ;it one time. 

 A board having been loosened in one of the cages, there was 

 given an opportunity to one of the animals to make its way out. 

 The mink availed itself of this opportunity In it was not missed 

 until it was seen coming home. It entered the cage by the same 

 opening through which it had made its exit, and gave every 

 evidence of having come back because ii regarded this place as 

 its natural abode. On another occasion a mink was reported 



