Mink 897 



Mink-farming. 



Mink are easily raised in captivity, and when their fur 

 brings a good price, as at present (1908), mink-farming is a 

 fairly profitable field for small capital. At least a dozen Mink- 

 eries have been operated since the days of Resseque, who 

 carried on the first of which we have detailed accounts. 

 This was in the early 70's, at Verona, Oneida County, in north- 

 ern New York State.-* 



The essential principles of a successful Minkery are intel- 

 ligent individual care of each animal, perfect cleanliness, and 

 moderate and varied feeding. 



A convenient Minkery for 10 breeding females and 2 

 males might be thus planned: 



In the end are 12 cages, in 2 tiers. Each cage is 5 feet 

 wide, 3 feet high, and 10 feet deep; made of close galvanized 

 wire of |-inch mesh, with solid wood floor. In each is a wooden 

 nesting box, 18 inches long, 9 wide, by 6 high. This has a 

 3-inch doorway at one end of the long side, with a sliding door, 

 which may be worked from outside to shut the animals in the 

 nest, if desired. The door of the cage should be so large that 

 this box can be lifted in and out. A long trough in front of 

 each cage should contain running water. 



The two larger pens are open courts into which are door- 

 ways opening from each cage. These should be surrounded 

 by a tight 6 or 7 foot board fence, which is sunk in the ground, 

 and there rests on a 2-foot underhang of stone, cement, zinc, 

 or galvanized mesh wire. At the top of the fence, and across 

 the front of the top cages, should be a 2-foot overhang of 

 smooth boards or tin, and at the corners it should be 3 feet 

 wide. 



Mink are good climbers and diggers, but this arrange- 

 ment will keep them in. Of course, a stone and cement floor, 

 with a mesh wire roof, is surer, but more costly. 



"Described in Coues's Fur-bearing .\nim., 1877, P- 181; Forest and Stream, 

 October 22, 1874, and Fanciers' Journal and Poultry Exchange, October 15. 1874. 



