The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-07-17

mainder Of the ration should De studied for possible causes.
 Four percent powdered skim milk is particularly desirable in the ra- ton during the period the young are nursing and growing.
 Cod Liver Oil
 A few drops of cod liver oil are desirable daily in the animals ra- ton to prevent the formation of stones in the bladder and kidneys.
 Eggs are an excellent source of vitamins and an egg to an animal off feed generally brings about a prompt resumption of eating.
 Proper feeding requires the everyday watchfulness of the rancher to get the best results. Generally speaking, the animals should be given all they will con- sume Nursing females and grow ing kittens should be fed twice daily.
 They may be fed in the pen on board or dish Sr through the wire from an outside feeder of either wood or galvanized iron. The outside feeder is merely a piece of wood or iron set at an angle of 40 degrees against the wire. These should be scraped clean once daily to prevent souring. The nest boxes should be checked frequently for cleanliness.
 Breeding Stock
 The ranch should be stocked with the best available breeding stock as poor belts cost as much to pro- duce as good ones The beginner should have one male to two fe- males. Males can be reduced some as experience is gained.
 The earliest matings will occur about March l and will continue for four weeks approximately. This naturally varies in different locali- ties.
 The male is taken to the female and tried Animals should be sep arated if the fighting becomes too serious as either may become in- jured. It may be necessary to wait a few days with some females. Gen. erally matings last from one-half hour to an hour or more. A record of matings should be carefully kept particularly for purposes of inn proving the stock. Females will usually mate again in one week and this should be practiced. A great variation in the geStation period is common, but most filters will arrive in 45 to 50 days.
 The estral cycle in females may be noticed by observing the swell ing of the external genitals as well as by microscopic examination of the changes of intra- uterine cells, but breeding remains a tedious hand proposition and trying the males remains the most practical solution.
 General Care
 Following the mating season the nest boxes should be clean and well filled with clean dried grass, all falfa or straw free of awanS. The females should be kept so that no unusual disturbance upsets them at the time their young are born. Kittens will be heard squealing at birth and should be left quiet as examining filters upsets the female and may cause some females to pack the kittens about. False floors placed in the pen will prevent nervous females from dropping young through the wire.
 Nursing females sh hould be watched closely as their litter grows because some may need ad- ditional care. Raw eggs are ex- cellent for them and impossible for the female to carry to the litter.
 AS the litter grows and starts eat ing solid food, the nest box can be tipped on it's side near the food to encourage the kittens to help themselves.
 Taking the kittens from the fe- male at eight or nine weeks of age will permit her to regain her proper physical condition and prevent the loss of an occasional animal
 The nest boxes, pens and feed- ing arrangement must be kept clean at all times. The kittens should be separated early as inferior fur results when filters remain togeth- CT through the fall.
 The animals should receive all they will consume to insure a rapid growth and excellent condition. If the animals are not in perfect physical condition they will not produce a good pelt and are un- suitable to keep as breeders.
 Killing the Pelters
 A few ounces of cyanide crystals in well-stoppered bottle to which a couple tablespoons of water has