Catching Mink and Chinchillas

Trap for transporting mink on the farm. The mink can turn in the cage without problems. For adult males, are cages used which has an opening at both ends as the males may be too large to be able to turn around. It is frequently the actual time of capture that is the most stressful for the animals, and they rapidly calm down when they are caught in the trap. Photograph: SLU.

The best way to capture mink and chinchillas that have escaped is to use a large net made of a soft material. This facilitates capture and does not risk injuring the animal. Move quietly and carefully towards the animal so that it does not feel it is being hunted, as this may be stressful for it. When the animal is close enough, move quickly in order to catch it. When the animal has been caught, carry it in a way which limits its movements and close to your body (in the case of chinchillas) so that the animal remains calm.
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The picture shows a trapping that used to catch mink that have escaped. The net must be large, around 40-50 centimetres in diameter. The net material must be soft, and the net must have a handle around 2 metres long. Photograph: SLU.

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The picture shows a net for catching chinchillas. The net must be made of a soft material and have a diameter of around 30 to 40 cm. Photograph: SLU.

If there is no need to catch the chinchilla or mink as soon as possible, the best thing to do is to use a trap placed in the individual’s location. The trap resembles a den, which is appealing for the animals. This is a very calm way of capturing escaped animals. The following extract related to capturing with a trap can be found in the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and guidelines (SJVFS 2012:14) on the breeding and keeping of fur-bearing animals, ref. no. L103.

Chap. 1(17), L103
Animals must be caught or moved in a manner which does not subject the animal or other animals to stress, as far as possible. Fixing equipment must only be used when necessary, taking into account the animal and the person handling it.
Animals that have escaped from their areas must be caught as soon as possible. If traps are used, these must be checked at least twice a day at intervals of no more than 12 hours.

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Trap for escaped mink. The mink perceives the trap as a den and is happy to enter it. Photograph: SLU.

Abnormal behaviours in domestic animals which appear to have no function and which are repeated over and over for long periods are stereotypical problems. A lack of stimulation in the animals’ environment and insufficient opportunities for them to perform important actions are stereotypical signs. When under stress, mink may display stereotypical behaviour as a way of attempting to deal with the situation.

Among mink, stereotypical behaviours occur almost exclusively in winter, when the mink are kept alone and are subject to restrictive feeding. There is lots going on in the life of the mink at other times of the year, when the pups are born and grow up and food is not rationed. Above all, stereotypical behaviours in mink are seen directly before feeding and are dramatically reduced after feeding.