Stereotypic behaviors in farmed mink are a clear indicator of welfare compromise from housing systems that cannot meet the needs of semi-aquatic predators.
The high prevalence of stereotypic behavior in farmed mink provides clear empirical evidence of welfare compromise. Stereotypies develop from repeated attempts to perform motivated behaviors in environments that prevent their expression. The fact that most farmed mink develop stereotypies indicates that current housing systems fundamentally fail to meet the behavioral needs of this species, regardless of physical health indicators.