Development and possible causes of fur damage in farm mink - Significance of social environment

The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the temporal development of fur damage in mink as well as the significance of social conditions (alone, in pairs or in family groups) on frequency and development of fur damage in mink kits. The adult generation was selected and distributed into two groups, partly on the basis of the frequency and character of the fur damage. The kits examined were offspring from these adult mink plus those from a randomly selected control group. Fur damage occurred when the kits were 2 months old irrespective of weaning time and social condition. Fur damage in the neck, however, only appeared when the animals were placed two or more together, so it can be deduced that the appearance of neck damage is not self-inflicted. It may appear as a result of normal behaviour of mink in connection with mating and aggressive interactions and also as an abnormal behaviour probably caused by understimulation. Fur damage on the tail increased when mink were separated or when females lost their kits at weaning. Tail damage is caused by an abnormal behaviour (fur chewing) that is self-inflicted, where frustration and understimulation can be involved. It seems possible that the threshold value for the occurrence of fur chewing could be changed through selection.