There’s a lot of information out there about fur farming, which some is a bit more on the fabricated side. However, with such a lack of information out there, it can be hard to tell what’s the truth and what’s fiction. It’s completely understandable if you aren’t sure what to believe. As experts in the fur industry, we’re here to fill you in on just how the industry works so you can buy your favorite real fur accessories with peace of mind. Read on to learn the truth about fur farming and how fur is harvested to make your prized mink fur coats and other pieces of apparel.

The Mink Farming Process

Much like any other type of farming you’ve heard of in the past, the farming process involved in creating real fur accessories runs in seasonal intervals. Each season brings about a specific set of responsibilities for the farm staff to take care of in order to keep the mink farm afloat and on schedule. We will go over each of these seasons in more detail throughout the rest of this article.

Breeding Season

Breeding season takes place in winter (or, more specifically, from November to March). It is during this season that the farm’s staff places female and male minks together to breed. They do this by placing individual female minks into “nest boxes,” which the mink will burrow into naturally. They will then pick up these boxes and deposit them near the pens of male minks, releasing the female inside. From there, the farm staff will allow the breeding process to occur naturally. Females retreat back to their nest boxes once they finish interacting with males. Farm staff will foster the minks’ pregnancies by adjusting their environment as needed, filtering light to their pens for longer amounts of time and switching out the nutrition within their diets.

Whelping Season

Whelping season unfolds from April to June. This period is when pregnant minks give birth and nurse their young. The farm staff will assist minks during the birthing process to ensure all baby minks come into the world as safely and healthily as possible. They will also monitor newborn minks to ensure their mothers are nurturing them well.

Raising Season

Starting in April and ending in June, mink farmers will help newborn minks grow and reach maturity. Farmers pull mink kits from their mothers’ care after six weeks of nursing and are sorted either based on their potential as fur suppliers or as future breeding partners.

Harvesting Season

Harvesting season is the last stage of mink farming, taking place between November and December. Based on how great their fur looks and their overall health, minks will be taken to be euthanized and stripped of their fur so they can be made into the gorgeous real fur accessories we enjoy so much.

To buy some of the highest quality mink apparel in the metroplex, feel free to visit Morris Kaye Furs in Dallas and San Antonio. Contact us today to sample our inventory and learn more about our various services!