Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-4hvwz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-26T01:03:58.586Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Welfare of Farmed Mink (Mustela Vison) in Relation to Housing and Management: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

A J Nimon  and
D M Broom
A J Nimon
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OES, UK
D M Broom*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OES, UK
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Early research on farmed mink was predominantly concerned with increased productivity; however, in recent years there have been an increasing number of studies related to welfare. The biology of feral mink has also become better understood, and such knowledge can aid in the assessment of welfare on farms, or in the interpretation of problems related to captivity. This paper is a comprehensive review of research pertinent to the welfare of farmed American mink, Mustela vison, in relation to their housing and management. It indicates how housing conditions might be changed to improve welfare, and where our present knowledge is insufficient. Many significant aspects of mink behaviour in the wild, such as their lack of social contact, their tendency to travel long distances and use several den sites, and regular swimming and diving, are denied them in captivity. Farmed mink also show high levels of stereotypy, suggesting that their welfare is not good. Welfare may be improved by appropriate environmental enrichment and changes in the social environment of farmed mink. In general, studies aimed at improving housing conditions have been limited in scope and outlook.

Keywords

animal welfarehousingmanagementminkMustela visonrecommendationsstereotypies
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 8 , Issue 3 , August 1999 , pp. 205 - 228
Copyright
© 1999 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bildsøe, M, Heller, K E and Jeppesen, L L 1990a Stereotypies in adult ranch mink. Scientifur 14: 169–177Google Scholar
Bildsøe, M, Heller, K E and Jeppesen, L L 1990b Stereotypies in female ranch mink; seasonal and diurnal variations. Scientifur 14: 243–247Google Scholar
Bildsøe, M, Heller, K E and Jeppesen, L L 1991 Effects of immobility stress and food restriction on stereotypies in low and high stereotyping female ranch mink. Behavioural Processes 25: 179–189 (Special Issue: Stress responses in domestic animals)CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Birks, JDS and Dunstone, N 1985 Sex-related differences in the diet of the mink Mustela vison. Holarctic Ecology 8: 245–252Google Scholar
Birks, JDS and Linn, I J 1982 Studies of home range of the feral mink, Mustela vison. Symposia of the Zoological Society of London 49: 231–257Google Scholar
Braastad, B O 1992 Progress in the ethology of foxes and mink. Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Suppl. 9): 487–504Google Scholar
Brinck, C, Gerell, R and Odham, G 1978 Anal pouch secretion in mink Mustela vison. Oikos 30: 68–75CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Broom, D M 1996 Animal welfare defined in terms of attempts to cope with the environment. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A: Animal Science Supplement 27: 22–28Google Scholar
Broom, D M and Johnson, K G 1993 Stress and Animal Welfare. Chapman & Hall: London, UKCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bryant, C E, Rupniak, N M J and Iversen, S D 1988 Effects of different environmental enrichment devices on cage stereotypies and autoaggression in captive Cynomolgus monkeys. Journal of Medical Primatology 17: 257–269CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burton, R 1979 Carnivores of Europe. BT Batsford: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Clapperton, K B, Minot, E O and Crump, D R 1988 An olfactory recognition system in the ferret Mustela furo L. (Carnivora, Mustelidae). Animal Behaviour 36: 541–553CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cooper, J J and Mason, G J 1996 Environmental requirements in mink. In: Duncan I J H, Widowski T M and Haley D B (eds) Proceedings of the 30th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Guelph, Ontario, 14-17 August p 37. The Colonel K L Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare: Guelph, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Cooper, J J and Mason, G J 1997a Income elasticity as an indicator of behavioural priorities in mink (Mustela vison). In: Hemsworth P H, Spinka M and Kostal L (eds) Proceedings of the 31 st International Congress of the ISAE (International Society for Applied Ethology), Prague, Czech Republic, 13-16 August p 64. Research Institute of Animal Production: Prague, Czech RepublicGoogle Scholar
Cooper, J J and Mason, G J 1997b The behavioural priorities of mink (Mustela vison) in a closed economy. In: British Society of Animal Science Winter Meeting 1997 paper 17. BSAS:Penicuik, UKCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cooper, J J and Mason, G J 1997c The effect of cost of access on consumption of environmental resources in mink. In: Forbes J M, Lawrence T J L, Rodway R G and Varley M A (eds) Animal Choices pp 12913 (Occasional Publication No 20). British Society of Animal Science: Edinburgh, UKCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cooper, J J, Odberg, F and Nicol, C J 1996 Limitations on the effectiveness of environmental improvement in reducing stereotypic behaviour in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 48: 237–248CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Damgaard, B M and Hansen, S W 1996 Stress, physiological status and fur properties in farmed mink placed in pairs or singly. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A: Animal Science 46: 253–259CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Day, M G and Linn, I J 1972 Notes on the food of feral mink Mustela vison in England and Wales. Journal of Zoology, London 167: 463–473CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deaux, E and Engstrom, R 1973 The temperature of ingested water: its effect on body temperature. Physiological Psychology 1: 152–154CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Jonge, G 1988 Genetics and evolution of tail biting in mink. In: Murphy D M and Hunter D B (eds) Biology, Pathology and Genetics of Fur-bearing Animals pp 503-505. (Unpublished Proceedings of the IVth International Scientific Congress on Fur Animal Production, Toronto)Google Scholar
de Jonge, G 1989 Genetics and evolution of tail-biting by mink. Fur Rancher 69: 5–6Google Scholar
de Jonge, G 1996a De invloed van groepshuisvesting op groei en pelskwaliteit. De Pelsdierenhouder (February): 49–54Google Scholar
de Jonge, G 1996b Groephuisvesting doet kwaliteit geen kwaad. De Pelsdierenhouder (April): 124–125Google Scholar
de Jonge, G and Carlstead, K 1987 Abnormal behaviour in farm mink. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 17: 375CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Jonge, G, Carlstead, K and Wiepkema, PR 1986 The Welfare of Ranch Mink.(COVP issue no 08). Het Spelderholt: Beekbergen, The NetherlandsGoogle Scholar
de Jonge, G and van Iwaarden, M 1995 Een nieuw huisvestingssysteem voor nesten. De Pelsdierenhouder (January): 19–24Google Scholar
DonCarlos, M W, Petersen, J S and Tilson, R L 1986 Captive biology of an asocial Mustelid; Mustela erminea. Zoo Biology 5(4): 363–370CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunstone, N 1983 Underwater hunting behaviour of the mink (Mustela vison Schreber): an analysis of constraints on foraging. Acta Zoologici Fenneca 174: 201–203Google Scholar
Dunstone, N 1993 The Mink. T & AD Poyser Ltd: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Dunstone, N and Birks, JDS 1983 Activity budget and habitat usage by coast-living mink (Mustela vison). Acta Zoologici Fenneca 174: 189–191Google Scholar
Dunstone, N and Birks, JDS 1985 The comparative ecology of coastal, riverine and lacustrine mink Mustela vison in Britain. Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Zoologie 72: 59–70Google Scholar
Dunstone, N and Birks, JDS 1987 The feeding ecology of mink (Mustela vison) in a coastal habitat. Journal of Zoology, London 212: 69–83CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunstone, N and Sinclair, W 1978a Comparative aerial and underwater visual acuity of the mink (Mustela vison Schreber) as a function of discrimination distance and stimulus luminance. Animal Behaviour 26: 6–13CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dunstone, N and Sinclair, W 1978b Orienting behaviour during aerial and underwater visual discrimination by the mink (Mustela vison Schreber). Animal Behaviour 26: 14–21CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Elofson, L, Lagerkvist, G, Gustafsson, H and Einarsson, S 1989 Mating systems and reproduction in mink. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica 39: 23–41CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enders, R K 1952 Reproduction in the mink (Mustela vison). Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 96: 691–755Google Scholar
Erlebach, S 1993 Effects of environment on the behaviour of mink. In: Nichelmann, M, Wierenga, H K and Baun, S (eds) Proceedings of the International Congress on Applied Ethology, Berlin pp 108–112. Humboldt University: Berlin, GermanyGoogle Scholar
Erlebach, S 1994 Effects of environment on the behaviour of mink. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 40: 77 (Abstract)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Foss, I and Flottorp, G 1974 A comparative study of the development of hearing and vision in various species commonly used in experiments. Acta Otolaryngologica 77: 202–214CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fraser, D 1975 The effect of straw on the behaviour of sows in tethered stalls. Animal Production 21: 59–68Google Scholar
Fraser, A F and Broom, D M 1990 Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare, 3rd edition. Baillière Tindall: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Gerell, R 1968 Food habits of mink, Mustela vison, in Sweden. Viltrevy 5: 119–211Google Scholar
Gerell, R 1970 Home ranges and movements of mink (Mustela vison) in Sweden. Oikos 21: 160–173CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gilbert, F F and Bailey, E D 1967 The effect of visual isolation on reproduction in the female ranch mink. Journal of Mammology 48: 113–118CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gilbert, F F and Bailey, E D 1969a The effect of early weaning on the sexual behaviour and reproductive success of ranch mink. Journal of Mammology 50: 742–747CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gilbert, F F and Bailey, E D 1969b Visual isolation and stress in female ranch mink particularly during the reproductive season. Canadian Journal of Zoology 47: 209–212CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gilbert, FF and Bailey, ED 1970 Reproductive performance of three genetic strains of female mink visually isolated after breeding. Cornell Vet 60: 135–138Google ScholarPubMed
Gimpel, J 1997 The role of the mother as a secure base in the development of exploration in young mink (Mustela vison). Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Oxford, UKGoogle Scholar
Gulevich, R G, Klochkov, D, Ivanola, L N and Osadchuk, L V 1995 Gonadal function in the mink under artificial photoperiods. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 103: 147–152CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hansen, C P B 1993 Stereotypies in ranch mink: The effect of genes, litter size and neighbours. Behavioural Processes 29: 165–177CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, S W 1988 Effect of variable cage size and lack of admission to nestbox on the behaviour, physiology and production of mink kits. In: Murphy B D and Hunter D B (eds) Biology, Pathology and Genetics of Fur-bearing Animals pp 153-162. (Unpublished Proceedings of the IVth International Scientific Congress on Fur Animal Production, Toronto)Google Scholar
Hansen, S W 1990 Activity pattern of lactating mink and the effect of water trays or wire netting cylinder in mink cages. Scientifur 14: 187–193Google Scholar
Hansen, S W 1991a Behaviour and environment of mink. In: Møller S (ed) Production of Mink, the Influence of Various Management, Environmental and Nutritional Elements on Behaviour, Physiology and Production in Mink pp. 63-96. Beretning fra Statens Husdyrbrugsforsog - 688. Ministry of Agriculture, National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Hansen, S W 1991b Selektion for adfaerdsnaessige kriterier hos farmmink. Bilag til Statens Husdyrbrugsforsøgs Årsmode (21-22 May): 17–18Google Scholar
Hansen, S W 1996 Selection for behavioural traits in farm mink. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 49: 137–148CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, S W and Brandt, A 1989 Effect of cage size and nest box on the haematological/enzymological status and physiological stress levels in mink kits. Scientifur 13: 185–192Google Scholar
Hansen, S W and Damgaard, B M 1991a Effect of environmental stress and immobilisation on stress physiological variables in farmed mink. Behavioural Processes 25: 191–204CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hansen, S W and Damgaard, B M 1991b Stress, physiological, hematological, and clinical-chemical status of farm mink placed in groups or singly. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica 41: 355–366CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, S W, Hansen, B K and Berg, P 1994 The effect of cage environment and ad libitum feeding on the circadian rhythm, behaviour and feed-intake of farm mink. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A: Animal Science 44: 120–127CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, S W, Hansen, B K and Damgaard, B M 1992 The effects of cage environment on the welfare of mink. Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Suppl. 9): 536–544Google Scholar
Harlow, H F and Zimmerman, R R 1959 Affectional responses in the infant monkey. Science 130: 421–432CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harri, M, Nurminen, L and Filen, T 1995 Stomach ulcer as an indicator of stress in farm mink. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A: Animal Science 45: 204–207CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heller, K E, Houbak, B and Jeppesen, L L 1988 Stress during mother-infant separation in ranch mink. Behavioural Processes 17: 217–227Google ScholarPubMed
Heller, K E and Jeppesen, L L 1985 Behavioural and eosinophil leucocyte responses to single and repeated immobility stress in mink. Scientifur 9: 174–178Google Scholar
Heller, K E and Jeppesen, L L 1986 Effects of social stress on circulating eosinophil leukocytes and sexual behaviour in ranch mink. Scientifur 10: 167–170Google Scholar
Hinde, R A 1970 Animal Behaviour, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill: New York, USAGoogle Scholar
Houbak, B 1990 Bestemmelse af socialrang hos farmmink. Bilag til Statens Husdryrbrugsforsøgs, Årsmode (15-16 May): 90-97Google Scholar
Jackson, M K, Winslow, S G, Dockery, L D, Jones, J K and Sisson, D V 1996a Investigation of an outbreak of Aleutian disease on a commercial mink ranch. American Journal of Veterinary Research 57: 1706–1710Google ScholarPubMed
Jackson, M K, Ellis, L C, Morrey, J D, Li, Z Z and Barnard, D L 1996b Progression of Aleutian disease in natural and experimentally-induced infections of mink. American Journal of Veterinary Research 57: 1753–1758Google ScholarPubMed
Jallageas, M, Boissin, J and Mas, N 1994 Differential photoperiodic control of seasonal variations in pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in long-day (ferret) and short-day (mink) mammals. Journal of Biological Rhythms 9: 217–231CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jeppesen, L L, Bildsoe, M and Helleer, K E 1990 Production and abnormal behaviour. NJF Utredning Rapport 60. National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Jeppesen, L L and Falkenberg, H 1990 Effect of play balls on pelt biting, behaviour and stress levels in ranch mink. Scientifur 14: 179–186Google Scholar
Joergensen, G 1985 Mink Production. Scientifur: Hilleroed, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Jonasen, B 1987 Ad faerdsforøg med burstorrelser til mink. Statens Husdyrbrugsforsøg 652. National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Kavanau, L J, Ramos, J and Havenhill, R M 1973 Compulsory regime and control of environment in animal behaviour: II. Light level preferences of carnivores. Behaviour 46: 279–299Google ScholarPubMed
Klotchkov, D V, Gulevich, R G, Osadchuk, L V and Kim, A A 1985 The photoperiodic programming of the gonad’s endocrine function and spermotogenesis in young mink. Journal of General Biology 46: 679–685Google Scholar
Kollberg, E and Björkland, B 1989 Sjukdomar och skador vidburuppfödning av pälsdjar. Pälsdjursfakta. Rädda Pälsdjuren, Nordisk Samfundeet mot Plågsamma DjurförsökGoogle Scholar
Markowitz, H 1982 Behavioural Enrichment in the Zoo. Van Nostrand Reinhold: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Markowitz, H, Aday, C and Gavazzi, A 1995 Effectiveness of acoustic prey: environmental enrichment for a captive African leopard (Panthera pardus). Zoo Biology 14: 371–379CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marriner, L M and Drickamer, L C 1994 Factors influencing stereotyped behaviours of primates in a zoo. Zoo Biology 13: 267–275CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martino, P E, Martino, J J and Villar, J E 1991 A note on diseases of mink. Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series B, 38: 227–230CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mason, G J 1991a Individual differences in the stereotypies of caged mink. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Cambridge, UKGoogle Scholar
Mason, G J 1991b Stereotypies: a critical review. Animal Behaviour 41: 1015–1037CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mason, G J 1992 Stereotypy and welfare in mink. Journal of Animal Science (Suppl.) 70: 158Google Scholar
Mason, G J 1993 Age and context affect the stereotypies of caged mink. Behaviour 127: 191–229CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mason, G J 1994 Tail-biting in mink (Mustela vison) is influenced by age at removal from mother. Animal Welfare 3: 305–311CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mason, G J 1996 Early weaning enhances the later development of stereotypy in mink. In: Duncan I J H, Widowski T M and Haley D B (eds) Proceedings of the 30th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology ρ 16. The Colonel K L Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare: Guelph, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Mason, G J, Leipoldt, A and de Jonge, G 1995 Why do female mink with high stereotypy levels have slow- growing offspring? In: Rutter S M, Rushen J, Randle H D and Eddison J C (eds) Proceedings of the 29th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Exeter, UK, 3-5 August pp 133–134. Universities Federation For Animal Welfare: Potters Bar, UKGoogle Scholar
Møller, S 1990 The need for nest boxes and drop-in bottoms in the whelping period of the female mink. Scientifur 14: 95–100Google Scholar
Møller, S 1991a Drinking behaviour of mink in relation to watering system and water temperature. NJF Seminar No 192, Uppsala March 6-7 1991. Ministry of Agriculture, National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Møller, S 1991b Management and environment in mink production. In: Møller S (ed) Production of Mink, the Influence of Various Management, Environmental and Nutritional Elements on Behaviour, Physiology and Production in Mink pp 13-62. Beretning fra Statens Husdyrbrugsforsog - 688. Ministry of Agriculture, National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Møller, S 1991c Weight gain and hair chewing in mink kits placed singly or in pairs from September. Scientifur 15: 21–27Google Scholar
Møller, S 1992 Production systems and management in the Danish mink production. Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Science (Suppl. 9): 562–568Google Scholar
Møller, S and Hansen, S W 1993 Weight development and behaviour of mink in the nursing period with and without the use of spray watering. Scientifur 17: 107–114Google Scholar
Newberry, R C 1995 Environmental enrichment: increasing the biological relevance of captive environments. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 44: 229–243CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Niemimaa, J 1995 Activity patterns and home ranges of the American mink (Mustela vison) in the Finnish Outer Archipelago. Annales Zoologici Fennici 32: 117–121Google Scholar
Niemimaa, J and Pokki, J 1990 Minkin ravinnasta Suomenlahden ulkosaaristossa. Suoman Riista 36: 18–30Google Scholar
Ödberg, F O 1987 The influence of cage size and environmental enrichment on the development of stereotypies in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Behavioural Processes 14: 155–173CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Poole, T B and Dunstone, N 1976 Underwater predatory behaviour of the American mink (Mustela vison). Journal of Zoology, London 178: 395–412CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rice, R P 1967 The mink: a short outline of general management. Journal of the Institute of Animal Technicians 18: 66–80Google Scholar
Rushen, J and de Passillé, A M B 1992 The scientific assessment of the impact of housing on animal welfare: a critical review. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 72: 721–743CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schneider, R R and Hunter, D B 1993a A survey of the causes of mortality in adult mink, with emphasis on the lactation period. Canadian Veterinary Journal 34: 103–108Google ScholarPubMed
Schneider, R R and Hunter, D B 1993b Nursing disease in mink: clinical and postmortem findings. Veterinary Pathology 30: 512–521CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schneider, R R, Hunter, D B and Waltnertoews, D 1992 Nursing disease in mink: ranch level epidemiology. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 14: 181–194CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shackelford, R M 1950 Genetics of the Ranch Mink. Pillsbury Pub lnc: New York, USAGoogle Scholar
Shackelford, R M 1984 American mink. In: Mason, I L (ed) Evolution of Domesticated Animals pp 229–234. Longman: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Shepherdson, D J, Carlstead, K, Mellen, J D and Seidensticker, J 1993 The influence of food presentation on the behaviour of small cats in confined environments. Zoo Biology 12: 203–216CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sinclair, W, Dunstone, N and Poole, T B 1974 Aerial and underwater visual acuity in the mink (Mustela vison Schreber). Animal Behaviour 22: 965–974CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Skovgaard, K, Jeppesen, L L and Hansen, C P B 1997 Would you like a swim, madam mink? Scientifur 24: 247–251Google Scholar
Sønderup, M 1990 Bidekopper og bolde kan reducere pelsgnav. Dansk Pelsdyravl 53: 396–398Google Scholar
Stevens, R T, Ashwood, T L and Sleeman, J M 1997 Fall early winter home ranges, movements, and den use of male mink, Mustela vison, in eastern Tennessee. Canadian Field Naturalist 111: 312–314Google Scholar
Valtonen, M, Vakkuri, O and Blomstedt, L 1995 Autumnal timing of photoperiodic manipulation critical via melatonin to winter pelage development in mink. Animal Science 61: 589–596CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vestergaard, K 1983 Behaviour and Reproduction in Optically Isolated Female Mink. (Unpublished abstract, Society for Veterinary Ethology Meeting [1983], Tours, France)Google Scholar
Wahlström, K 1987 Orsakeer till dödlighet hos mink. Våra Pälsdjar 58: 297–310Google Scholar
Zielinski, W J 1986 Circadian rhythms of small carnivores and the effect of restricted feeding on daily activity. Physiology & Behavior 38: 613–620CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zielinski, W J 1988 The influence of daily variation in foraging cost on the activity of small carnivores. Animal Behaviour 36: 239–249CrossRefGoogle Scholar