122 FUR FACTS 



Another plan, arriving at the same result, is to construct a 

 box like the illustration. This leaves the "L" shaped entrance on 

 the outside of the box and the box itself is just large enough to hold 

 the barrel. However, the first plan is recommended as being the 

 better. 



After the house is built it is ready to be placed in the yard, and 

 the best place is in the center. It is also advisable to have one or 

 two barrels with an "L" (shaped entrance as described) in the yard 

 as retreats for young puppies. 



The Fox Yard 



There are various styles and sizes of yards, but the most ap- 

 proved kind is the one about fifty feet square. Some breeders prefer 

 to have a long narrow yard, which gives the foxes more space for a 

 long run when they are playing, but it is more expensive, and the 

 50 foot square yard is considered the best. The arrangement of the 

 yard depends on the number of pens and it is advisable to allow a 

 space between them of at least five feet; in other words have each 

 pen independent of the other so that the foxes can not reach one 

 another through the wire. The larger ranches allow this space be- 

 tween the pens and in addition to this they have one space about 

 eight feet wide so that the food can be hauled on a horse drawn sled 

 thus saving considerable labor. It is only necessary to have the eight 

 foot strip between every second row of pens as this large lane is used 

 only for feeding purposes. The five foot strip between the pens 

 can be used for tree planting in order that shade may be furnished 

 and yet the trees not be inside of the pens for the animals to climb 

 out. This style of detached pen costs a little more, but it is a great 

 protection and is well worth the extra expense. As an extra pre- 

 caution the wise fox rancher will build guard fences around all of 

 the pens so that if a fox gets out of its own pen it can not escape from 

 the yard itself, but is sure to be discovered in one of the alleys and 

 can be easily caught and put back in its own pen. 



Food 



The natural food habits of foxes are similar to those of dogs; 

 birds, mice, rabbits, and other animals are eaten, as well as grass- 

 hoppers, crickets and other insects, eggs, and many kinds of berries. 

 In short, the animals are practically omnivorous. 



The rations of domesticated foxes include beef, horse meat, 

 mutton, veal, woodchucks, rabbits, liver, fish, eggs, milk, bread, 

 mashed potatoes, crackers, mush, dog biscuit, boiled turnips and 



