16.—Breeding and Winter Management.
Reading edition
The stock should be mated about November or December. Put one male to four or 12 five females. It is well to watch them for a few days to make sure the group is harmonious. Often it happens that one female will quarrel with the others.
She should be removed and tried somewhere else. If one is seen outside the den constantly, this is the cause.
Put plenty of straw in the den and they will make themselves comfortable enough.
During the winter they eat nothing. Some breeders deem it wise to feed a light meal a week.
Mating time is from the middle of March, starting with February. Males must not meet at this time for they will fight, until one or the other is killed.