FUR FACTS 81 



Fox. The raising of Silver Fox is beyond the reach of most 

 people as it requires considerable capital to embark in this busi- 

 ness, but mink raising may be started with a small capital if 

 the man or boy can trap or buy a pair of Kve mink. 



Almost any sort of enclosure will do. Fromm Brothers, who 

 have successfully raised mink, prefer running water on the 'place 

 selected so that a small portion of it will run through the enclosure 

 for the mink, which can be done by building a cement trough at 

 one end of it. The place should be enclosed with galvanized iron 

 wire set well into the ground and with the top turned in so that the 

 mink can not cHmb or jump out. If you cannot buy a pair of live 

 mink for breeding purposes, it is well to try to trap them yourself 

 using a box trap for this purpose. Most mink raisers feed their mink 

 fresh meat daily. Wild rabbits are splendid food, or anything 

 of this nature. Fish may also be used, and some raisers 

 give the mother mink mUk. See that they are supplied with fresh 

 water every day and keep the pens clean, and also the nesting boxes. 

 Allow as big a run as possible and construct it in such way that the 

 mink cannot dig out or climb out. For the nest use wooden boxes 

 divided into three compartments with a small hole bored at one end 

 for the mink to crawl in and out, and two similar holes bored in the 

 partitioning boards. This will admit very little light into the pen 

 and none at all into the back compartment, which is just what the 

 mink wants. The darker it is the better they like it. Bore the 

 entrance hole small and near the ground so that it will let in as little 

 light as possible. After the young are born place a fresh nesting 

 box close to the old one and the old mink will make the change if 

 she thinks it desirable. When the young mink are about two months 

 old and are able to take care of themselves, it is advisable to take the 

 mother away from them. Keep the males and females separate, 

 keeping the males in a pen by themselves and the females by them- 

 selves. Mink are rather vicious and will sometimes put up a fight, 

 but if you will wear heavy leather gloves they cannot do any harm. 

 Some breeders recommend leaving one kitten with the mother to 

 take care of whatever milk the mother may have left. The man 

 starting in the raising of mink will have to study out things for 

 himself, using common sense and good judgment. Do not bother 

 or disturb the animals too much. They know how to provide for 

 themselves. Just give them a chance and they wiU breed very 

 rapidly imder the right conditions. They begin breeding usually 



