Editing Mink (section)

=== Stereotypy ===
On farms, minks are placed in [[battery cages]], a type of soft, metal wire cage that restricts their ability to move. This often results in a condition referred to as [[Stereotypy (non-human)|stereotypies]], an abnormal behavior. These abnormal, repetitive behaviours are a result of keeping them imprisoned, and is similar to the deterioration of mental health in humans.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|author=Mason, G.|year=1991|title=Stereotypies in caged mink|journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science|volume=30|issue=1–2|pages=179–180|doi=10.1016/0168-1591(91)90103-5}}</ref> Stereotypies have also been noted to increase during human presence.<ref name=":0" />

To attempt to eliminate stereotypies in captive mink, the Canadian National Farm Animal Care Council has implemented regulations on incorporating [[environmental enrichment]]s into mink cages. Enrichments are pen-related alterations or the addition of novel objects to improve the mink's physical and psychological health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/mink|title=Code of practice for the care and handling of farmed mink|website=National Farm Animal Care Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405195537/http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/mink|archive-date=5 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Enrichments may help reduce the onset of stereotypies, but rarely decrease or eliminate them entirely.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Finely, G.|author2=Mason, G.|author3=Pajor, E.|author4=Rouvinen, K.|author5=Rankin K.|year=2012|title=Code of practice for the care and safe handling of mink : review|journal=NFACC}}</ref> Leaving minks alone plays a large role in the prevention of stereotypies, and the animals' well-being.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mononen|display-authors=etal|year=2012|title=The development of on farm welfare assessment protocols for fox and mink: the WelFur project.|journal=Animal Welfare|volume=21|issue=3|pages=363–371|doi=10.7120/09627286.21.3.363|s2cid=71246314}}</ref>