72 FUR FACTS 



Skunk are mainly nocturnal, but when not harassed by enemies 

 they often hunt in broad daylight. They usually come out about 

 sunset and spend the summer twilight in catching grasshoppers and 

 beetles by springing upon them with the fore feet as the insects rise 

 from the ground in flight. After dark the skunk depends upon its 

 sense of smell and hearing to locate its prey. It digs many beetles 

 and their larvae from the ground, leaving the surface thickly pitted 

 with small conical holes where the insects were obtained. 



It would seem to be advisable in raising skunk to start on a small 

 scale and not attempt a big skunk farm. 



As a rule the most successful stock breeders are those who make 

 a special study of the stock they have in hand and give their animals 

 special attention. Too much attention, however, to the skunk will 

 cause it to become domesticated, and if petted and over fed their f ur 

 deteriorates and is of little value, but if allowed to live in as near a 

 wild and natural state as possible they will breed rapidly and produce 

 good fur. They will become tame and lose their fear of man if not 

 frightened or disturbed. Two or three pair is enough to make a 

 start, and forty or fifty is the maximum amount recommended*for 

 a successful skunk farm. With full furred skunk bringing the high 

 prices of today, this will show a very nice return for the investment, 

 which is very little. 



Almost any piece of ground can be used for the purpose. After 

 you have selected your location it is well to build a suitable enclosure. 

 Pick a piece of ground on which there is a small stream or spring, 

 but not a wet, swampy place; in fact, a side hill with a spring or 

 stream at the bottom is preferable. A piece of rocky bluff makes 

 an ideal location for a skunk farm. The skunk is not a water animal 

 although they like plenty of water. 



Make the enclosure as large as you can, depending, of course, 

 upon the number of skunks you expect to start out with. In other 

 words, the secret of a successful skunk layout is to have the conditions 

 as nearly natural as possible. Do not attempt skunk raising in a 

 small pen or yard, as the animals will not do well. 



Galvanized wire netting,, about one inch mesh, makes a very 

 good fence. If there is any heavy drift snow it would be advisable 

 to have the fence about seven feet high. Ordinarily a four foot 

 fence is high enough. It is advisable to turn the wire at the top or 

 place a sheet of tin or something along the edge to prevent the animals 

 from climbing out. In erecting the fence it is advisable to sink the 



