a plus one system is used to ensure that all females have been mated twice by the same male by March 22 (CCFAR 203). Double mating is desired to ensure that the female will be mated successfully. After the female has been mated twice, it is important not to handle her or cause excessive stress that could compromise successful implantation. It is also important to ensure that there are no unnecessary noises or distractions during mating, such as loud voices or clothing. The Canadian Fur Animal Research Center uses the newer mating system, as explained previously. Table 1 shows observations of five different breeding pairs from the Canadian Fur Animal Research Centre. Each of the couples mated on March 7, 2014 and March 10, 2014, allowing a total of two matings per couple. The results in Table 1 also show the number of live, dead and weaned kits from the mother and father's mother, in each breeding pair. Typically, each mated mink comes from a mother that had a high number of live kits, a low number of dead kits, and a high number of weaned kits. This is why each of these mink was selected for mating, in hopes of increasing their survivability as the Canadian Fur Animal Research Center faces Aleutian Disease. This year, 2014, was the first breeding season for all mink found in Table 1 and, therefore, no information was available regarding their previous breeding season. Typically, information from the previous breeding season will also be used to determine which animals to breed, such as information on number of kits, ease of breeding, parturition, lactation and weaning. All matings found in Table 1 were carried out between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. Table 1. Results of mink matings at Ca...... middle of paper ......ir weaning weight recorded (CCFAR 208) . This is done by first removing and weighing the mother, then removing and weighing the kits, sorting them by sex (CCFAR 208). Once the mother and kits are separated, they should be monitored and fed immediately. Monitoring the mother is particularly important to record her body condition and any damage to her teats (CCFAR 208). During birth, lactation and weaning, a lot of information is collected. During birth, the ease of birth and the number of kittens born alive and dead are recorded. During lactation, the number of kittens fed by the mother as well as the health of the mother and all kittens raised are recorded. During weaning, the number of weaned kits of each sex as well as their weight and that of the mother are recorded. Weight and health problems are recorded throughout birth, lactation and weaning..