Analysis of the Causes and Handling Methods of Female Mink Eating Their Kits

Every year from June to September is the main stage of growth and development for mink kits. During more than 40 years engaged in mink production, the author has found that some female mink eat their kits. Through investigation, the causes and handling methods of kit-eating are introduced as follows:

1. Poor maternal instinct and vicious habits. Once discovered, the remaining kits should immediately be removed and given to another female mink to nurse.

2. Lack of nutrition and insufficient feed. This is caused by a deficiency of certain nutritional components in the feed, such as insufficient protein content, or by an inadequate amount of feed supplied; sufficient full-price feed should be provided.

3. Many kits born and insufficient milk. Because the female mink is nursing too many kits and her milk is seriously insufficient, when the kits suckle, the female mink feels pain, which leads her to bite and eat the kits. Depending on the mother's milk supply, some of the kits should be given to another female mink to nurse, and measures to promote lactation should be taken at the same time.

4. Being stimulated and eating kits. This is caused by carelessness during inspection, which gives the kits an unusual odor, or by mistakenly giving kits that have fallen to the ground to another female mink. Therefore, before inspection, rub the hands with nest grass first, and do not get unusual odors onto the kits. Kits that have fallen to the ground should first be placed outside the small chamber and let the female mink carry them into the nest herself.

5. Poor environment and lack of quiet. This is caused by too frequent inspections, too many people coming and going, or the noise of motor vehicles or machinery. Therefore, during the birthing and nursing period, to keep the site quiet, visits should be declined, people should walk lightly, and fright should be prevented.

6. Late separation and the mother eating kits. Because separation is too late, the phenomenon of the mother eating kits or kits biting and fighting each other may also occur. Therefore, separation must be timely and cannot be delayed.

7. Thirst and eating kits. Insufficient water supply and thirst in the female mink can also easily lead to kit-eating, so sufficient drinking water must be supplied.