William Edwin Pratt

“ Skunks like most animals are omnivorous. A continuous unbroken diet of meat would eventually wipe out the stock; as would a diet solely vegetable. Moderate varied feeding is essential. Adult skunks are fed once a day, they themselves prefer it after dark. Staple articles of food are beef, rabbit, cow liver, chicken giblets, oatmeal, and other porridge, cooked potatoes and milk; anything a dog will eat with fruit and insects added. Be sure the meat is clear of infection. ”

“ Put one male to four or 12 five females. It is well to watch them for a few days to make sure the group is harmonious. Often it happens that one female will quarrel with the others.
She should be removed and tried somewhere else. If one is seen outside the den constantly, this is the cause.
Put plenty of straw in the den and they will make themselves comfortable enough.
During the winter they eat nothing. Some breeders deem it wise to feed a light meal a week. ”

“ Other Foes—While the armed skunk travels about without fear of man or beast, it must be remembered that the disarmed young skunks may be killed by dogs, or taken by horned owls or any other large bird.
13.—Rats.
Rats are a great nuisance about a fur ranch. They often dig holes and teach the young skunks the way to escape. They also kill the young, and are quick enough to keep out of the way of the mother. ”

“ Mange—Mange is considered a serious disease, and is caused by fleas which induce the animal to scratch. The fur gets thin and the body is covered with scabs. This may be cured by applying a good flea powder and a dip. ”

“ Murder—Murder must be considered a disease. Some individuals are incapable of it while others are very prone to it. The last mentioned soon make themselves known. They should be marketed as soon as possible. ”

“ One male and two females is a good lot to begin with, which would increase to twenty young the first year, and one hundred and fifty the second, providing one could wait that long, and one certainly could not expect any dividend until the fifth year. ”

“ Conclusion.
5 Practical Skunk Raising. By William E. Pratt.
The supply of wild fur has already fallen behind the demand and the time is in sight when wild fur will form but a small per cent of that in use.
All furs trapped in steel traps are less beautiful because the animal suffers. It is a well-known fact that the less the animal suffers, the better the fur.
The time is not far away when nearly all fur will be grown on fur-ranches. Fur-farming unquestionably has a great future as an industry. ”

“ To prevent a shot from this deadly battery of the skunk they are disarmed while very young. When animals are young the operation 14 is a simple one; but when performed when they are grown not more than one out of three survives the operation. ”

“ This is much relished by all fur-bearing animals, and is still more acceptable if 9 flavored with a few spoonfuls of black molasses.
Milk must be given sparingly unless it agrees with the stock. Once a week is enough, more than that is liable to induce scouring and other disorders. Half a dog biscuit, and a few scraps of meat are enough for a skunk’s daily allowance. Of course some should have more than others according to their needs. ”

“ Cannibalism—Sometimes when enclosures are small the mothers devour the young as soon as born. This is sometimes the result of quarreling. Always build the enclosures large enough so the skunks have plenty of room. ”

“ They must have plenty of fresh water at all times; especially when the young are expected. The vessel that the water at all times is kept in should be washed every day. In winter the skunks lap up snow instead of water. ”