Why mink kits should be separated from their mothers in a timely manner

Separating mink kits from their mothers in a timely manner is not only beneficial to the growth of the kits but also ensures the health of the mother mink.

(1) Preparations before separation Before separating the kits, first conduct one inspection of the cages and boxes used at the site, repair any damage, and then disinfect all of them for later use. Then wash the required food trays and water boxes, disinfect them, and use them after the kits are separated.

(2) First separation Mink kits should be separated twice. For the first separation, kits that have reached 40-50 days of age and weigh more than 250 grams (note that weak and small kits weighing less than 250 grams should not be separated in a hurry for the time being; let the mother mink continue to nurse them for a period. This not only enables the weak and small mink to quickly catch up with the robust separated kits, but also prevents the mother mink from being startled because all the kits are separated) should be kept 2-8 per cage box. This has two advantages: first, the body temperature among the kits raises the temperature of the small chamber and prevents the kits from getting chilled. Second, it allows the kits, who are used to living in groups, to gradually improve their ability to live independently, laying the foundation for the second separation.

For kits accustomed to group living, because the living environment changes after separation, they will feel unaccustomed to the new environment; therefore, they will emit frightened cries from time to time, and some kits will consequently show poor appetite, diarrhea, or adverse phenomena such as rectal prolapse, urine wetting disease, and gastroenteritis caused by getting chilled. At this time, the keepers should strengthen their sense of responsibility. If the bedding straw in the box is contaminated, replace it in a timely manner; if there is feces in the food trays and water boxes, remove it in a timely manner; and if hidden dangers are found, deal with them in a timely manner to ensure the normal growth of the kits. At this time, the feed should be slightly thin, mainly consisting of fresh cow milk, goat milk, fresh eggs, and high-quality imported fish meal. Feed the kits and ensure the palatability of the feed. The feed should be added at any time according to the growth needs of the kits, so that the kits eat their fill and eat well. After 8-10 days of feeding, the weight of the kits quickly reaches 350-400 grams. At this time, the kits are fully capable of living independently, and then the second separation is carried out.

(3) Second separation Divide all the kits into two major groups by male and female, thus forming one large group of all male mink and one large group of female mink, and then separately pick out the large-bodied and small-bodied individuals from each group of male and female mink, and also place them in the same mink shed as the large groups of male and female mink. The purpose of doing this is to make it convenient for the keepers to rationally add food according to the body size characteristics of male and female mink.