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BULLETIN 1350, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGBICULTUEE. 



would be well to adopt as nearly as possible the methods here out- 

 lined. 



For the best results, a palatable feed must be provided. The same 

 combinations should be used steadily, and sudden changes either in 

 the diet or in the manner of feeding should be avoided. It is not 

 meant that the same kinds of feed should be given during every sea- 

 son of the year; but the danger is pointed out that foxes may be 

 " thrown off their feed " by such radical changes as occur when a 

 rancher suddenly adopts a new ration on learning of another's suc- 

 cess with it. 



KINDS OF FEED 



As fish is readily obtainable in this region and forms part of the 

 natural diet of blue foxes, it constitutes in one form or another the 



Fig. 20.- 



-Dall porpoises are used to some extent as a fox feed. 

 J. L. Hill) 



(Photograph by 



major part of the feed. Salmon, cod, halibut, rocldish, skates, and 

 herring are all used. The kind most commonly fed, however, is sal- 

 mon, because of its comparative abundance during the summer and 

 of the fact that many ranchers are able to obtain heads and discarded 

 fish from local canneries. In localities where hair seals, porpoises, 

 and white whales can be procured, these also are used. (Fig. 20.) 

 Occasionally larger whales drift or are towed ashore, and foxes have 

 been fed on them. 



Mushes also form part of the diet, and are made of a variety of 

 ingredients. Cereals, such as rice, oatmeal, bran, shorts, middlings, 

 bread, and cracker waste, are used, and in some cases seal, whale, and 

 porpoise oil. Ranchers who can raise root crops have added potatoes 

 and turnips. These vegetables are never fed raw. Where obtain- 

 able, cracklings resulting from the rendering of lard in packing 

 houses are used extensively. 



