J^ DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 



do not mature the first year and should he kept over until the following pelting 

 period before they are suitable as good pelters. The young as a rule do not 

 breed until they are two years old so that they cannot be expected to produce 

 any further young while being kept over the second year. If they are kept over 

 there would be an additional cost of S7.55 each, which brings the cost up to 

 $13.60. 



Whether the young are pelted the first year at low prices or kept over until 

 the second year and sold at top market price, the cost of feed alone is as much as 

 could be expected from the sale of pelts. When the cost of pen construction, 

 time, and labour are also added it would appear that at present pelt prices the 

 raising of raccoon would not be a profitable venture unless an extremely low- 

 priced feed were available. 



Housing of Animals 



There appears to be a tendency to overlook the necessity for providing fur- 

 bearing animals with warm, dry nests. It is safe to say that many losses are 

 encountered annually due to neglecting this important factor. 



Mink are very susceptible to cold and damp quarters, particularly during 

 seasons when the weather is changeable. In October and November, the Fur 

 Farm received for examination a number of cases dying with pneumonia. 



If the nest-box is packed full of straw or hay, the mink will make a twisting 

 tunnel, leading from the entrance into his nest. This nest is about the size of a 

 robin's and is completely covered and hidden from view. Shavings are not 

 recommended except during the summer months. If the weather is wet and 

 stormy frequent changes of straw are necessary to insure comfortable sleeping 

 quarters and healthy surroundings. 



The mink, otter, and beaver can normally swim for hours in the coldest 

 waters without any ill effect. Under natural conditions, the strong oily guard 

 fur completely protects the soft underfur. The latter will be found to be 

 perfectly dry on examination. This is not the case with mink in captivity and 

 repeated soaking with rain will gradually penetrate the underfur, producing a 

 chilling effect on the body. If this effect is further accentuated by sleeping in 

 wet, cold nest-boxes, the resistance to disease is lowered with resulting losses 

 from pneumonia. Tail-sloughing appears to be the direct result of insufficient 

 and unsuitable bedding at times when the weather is alternately freezing and 

 thawing. The skin becomes irritated and infected through constantly rubbing 

 on wet and freezing bedding. 



Foxes should be provided with shelter against rain. Not only is the fur adverse- 

 ly affected but repeated wettings are injurious to foxes affected with lung worm. 

 Lung-worm pneumonia is particularly prevalent in the changeable seasons. 

 Adult foxes can withstand the coldest weather, but this is not the case with pups. 

 Many new-born pups are lost owing to cold nest-boxes improperly constructed. 

 It will pay through the winter months to inspect the nests repeatedly. 



Some adults will chew through the sides and top of the boxes, and the 

 packing material will become lost and scattered. Many ranchers now favour a 

 nest with a depression on the floor. The pups are thus kept together and 

 cannot wander off to the sides of the box and become chilled. The use of heavy 

 compressed-paper fabrics for insulating the nest-box is meeting with favour. 



