How to Start a Mink Farm

Fur-farming began in North America in the nineteenth century, though it was a tradition for far longer in Europe. In fact, the bulk of fur-farming still takes place in Europe; North America has only 12 percent of the fur farms today. Since mink fur, in particular, is prized, mink farming can be lucrative. Read this article to learn how to start a mink farm.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Acquire knowledge of the mink, including life cycle, breeding cycles, and more. You may find this information at such sites as the Fur Commission USA website.

2. Learn about the mink's nutritional needs throughout its life cycle.

3. Choose the site for a mink farm carefully, taking into account future building growth around you.

4. Look for a site that allows for good drainage, such as slightly sloping land.

5. Build sheds for mink farming that are just over twelve feet wide.

6. Construct a fence around the minks' sheds.

7. Create year-round boxes for breeding animals and line them with straw or wood shavings.

8. Provide wire cages for the mothers and their young. The young will stay with their mothers until they are seven to eight weeks old.

9. Install separate wire cages in which the babies are placed within groups of two or three.

10. Place mature minks reserved for breeding purposes in their own cages.

11. Supply the proper care for the mink, including vaccinations and treatment should the mink become injured.

12. Buy your mink stock through farms that have been certified through the Fur Commission USA. The site provides contact information.

13. Train your staff in the proper care of the animals.

14. Give your animals only fresh food and an abundant supply of clean water.

15. Become certified through the Fur Commission USA.

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Resources

• International Fur Trade Federation info on fur farming.
• Canadian Agri-Food Research Council has an article on mink farming.
• Fur Commission USA is an excellent resource for mink farming.