﻿24 BULLETIN 1350, U. S. DEPAE-TMEiNT OP AGRICULTXTKEi 



In the early days of island fox farming few, if any, of the 

 ranchers fed their animals, and the foxes were compelled to forage 

 for their food, living on rodents, birds, and such material as they 

 could find on the beach. While such practices resulted in small 

 litters and high mortality, a number of ranchers still follow them, 

 but the more successful are giving considerable attention to methods 

 and time of feeding. There is still room for improvement, how- 

 ever, for although some ranchers feed every day, others feed only 

 every other day or only twice a week. Those who feed at long 

 intervals place the feed at widely separated points on the island, 

 while those who feed more frequently usually have more evenly 

 distributed feeding places. Feeding in quantity at widely sepa- 

 rated points results in the animals' colonizing in the vicinity of 

 these places. 



Wherever possible the foxes should be fed once a day. The feed, 

 no matter of what kind, should never be thrown on the ground or 

 on the floor of the trap house, but should always be placed in dishes. 



During the whelping season, fish — either fresh, dried, salted, or 

 smoked — should be cut into convenient sizes so that the adult foxes 

 can carry it to the dens for the young. It is very important that 

 plenty of feed be supplied at this time to insure that the pups shall 

 receive sufficient nourishment. In every case where it is at all j)rac- 

 ticable to do so, it will well repay the rancher to carry feed and 

 water to dens where young are known to be. Five-gallon oil cans 

 with the tops cut out and wooden handles fitted in, or galvanized 

 buckets are used for carrying feed to the foxes. 



Difficulty is often experienced at the pelting season in inducing 

 the foxes to go into the trap house. This can be avoided if a prac- 

 tice is made of feeding the animals in these houses regularly at all 

 seasons. It has the further advantage of furnishing old as well as 

 young foxes a sheltered place in wliich to eat, thus protecting both 

 the feed and the animals from eagles. 



TRANSPORTATION 



Foxes in good condition can be shipped almost any distance; but 

 if the journey is long, as is generally the case in Alaska, or the ship- 

 ment large, it is well to have an attendant go along to feed and care 

 for the animals. Foxes can go without feed for two or three days 

 with no apparent ill effects. In transit they have a tendency to lose 

 their appetites, and should be fed carefully, although fresh water 

 should always be supplied. Small pieces of .meat, preferably liver 

 or beef, and fox biscuit may be given. 



It is not advisable to place more than one fox in a compartment 

 of a shipping crate. A crate 2 feet high containing two compart- 

 ments and having a total floor space of approximately 2 by S^o feet 

 is large enough to carry a pair of foxes. It should be made of wood, 

 and wire of 1-inch mesh should be nailed inside to prevent the foxes 

 from chewing the wood. In the front of each compartment dishes 

 for feed and water should be fastened where they can be filled from 

 the outside. A good substantial crate, such as is detailed in Figure 

 24, receives better treatment in transit than a poor one. 



