ey need not be so high. The
largest compartment would be for the females and there should be a
smaller one for the males, also one for the young animals after they
have become large enough to take care of themselves. Some also make
small yards in which to place the females, two or three together, after
the young animals are born. The most of those who have tried skunk
breeding, however, have not found this necessary, but there should
always be a separate enclosure for the males. When the number of animals
increases it will be necessary to have a few small breeding yards, large
enough for ten or twelve animals. One need not, however, make such an
elaborate enclosure in the start but can enlarge it as needed, adding
more compartments.

In each compartment a number of dens should be made by digging a trench
and covering afterwards. While the animals will dig dens if necessary,
they prefer even while in a wild state to use dens already made. Boxes,
barrels or pens with board floors should not be used. Some of the
successful ones claim that this has a tendency to cause a thick pelt and
thin fur and say that it is absolutely necessary that they have natural
dens in the ground. The dens should be made quite deep so that there
will be no danger from frost in winter.

FEEDING.--Skunks should have plenty of food especially during the summer
and they should be fed at regular intervals, giving just enough for a
meal each time. It is advisable to give a mixed diet, partly animal and
partly vegetable. They will eat almost all kinds of flesh and fish,
table scraps, fruits, especially if very ripe, melons, sweet potatoes,
berries, etc. One of the most satisfactory foods is bread and milk, but
it is considered too expensive by some people. However, it could be
given occasionally. They are very fond of carrion, but such food should
not be given, for it is likely to cause disease. If near a slaughter
house one can get plenty of offal and in the country one can buy old,
worn-out horses, etc., but one should remember that the skunk will
consume an amazing amount of food. One party claims that three hundred
skunk will eat two horses in a week. In the fall especially, when they
are laying on fat for winter, they should have plenty of food. In
winter they do not require so much.

It should be remembered that it is a lack of food that causes them to
eat their young and one should feed well during the spring and summer.

Skunks feed largely