FOXES AND FOX-FARMING = 225 
male sometimes has been mated successfully 
with two or even three females. In certain 
cases this may be desirable, and at an advanced 
stage of the business may offer no difficulties, 
but at first it is advisable to handle the animals 
in pairs. It is possible, also, as proved in a 
number of instances, to allow male and female 
to remain together throughout the year with- 
out bad results, but it is much better to keep 
them separate, except during the mating sea- 
son. They may be paired in December or Jan- 
uary and separated in March or April. The 
females should be kept in the small enclosures 
continuously and the young removed when 
weaned, 
The separation of the sexes is not, as many 
suppose, to prevent the male from viciously 
killing the young; for, unless suffering from 
hunger, he usually is a model parent. But the 
presence of the male often results in injury to 
the female during pregnancy, resulting in abor- 
tion; or it excites her unduly after the young 
are born, leading to rougher treatment than 
they are able to stand. 
Some foxes are much better breeders than 
