TIIF. DOMESTICATED SILVER FOX. 



19 



sidered good for foxes in warm weather. Coarser fishes are some- 

 times used, but are not very much in favor. It is not deemed well to 

 feed milk and fish on the same day. Milk 

 and eggs are often given to females about 

 the time cubs are expected, to strengthen 

 them, relax their bowels, and allay fever. 

 Fish, liver, and tripe are other laxative 

 foods which may be used instead of milk 

 and eggs. A diet of eggs, milk, mush, and 

 wheat bread without leaven or salt is ex- 

 cellent. 



The preparation of food for foxes deserves 

 careful attention. All dishes should be kept 

 clean. Meat that is diseased, tainted, or in- 

 fected with parasites must be boiled. It is 

 better to skin rabbits, as their hair readily 

 felts and sometimes forms in balls in the 

 stomachs of animals which feed on them. 

 Their heads and entrails also should be re- 

 moved, as these parts are frequently in- 

 fested with parasites. Smelts and small 

 trout may be fed whole, but larger fish FlG - 20.— section of a fence 



. lii n i 11 i 11 containing a smooth zone to 



should be dressed and the backbones re- protect foxes from injury 

 moved. Chilled meat should be warmed ■ from failing. Concrete foun- 



.... ~, , , . . dation and iron posts. 



before being ottered to cubs or nursing fe- 

 males. Oatmeal or cornmeal mush should be thoroughly cooked. 

 All food for sick animals should be cooked to make it more digest- 

 ible and to free it from disease germs. 



Foxes should be fed regularly twice 

 a day, morning and evening. This is 

 especially important in hot weather, 

 as whatever is left from the first meal 

 will spoil before time for the next. 

 By giving at each feeding only the 

 proper quantity the injurious effects of 

 gorging can be avoided. Overfeeding 

 is more dangerous than underfeeding. 



Foxes that are to be slaughtered for 

 their pelts are well fed during the 

 autumn months, as the finest skins 

 usually come from fat animals. Brood 

 animals, on the other hand, are kept 

 thin throughout the summer and up to about the first of January, 

 when their rations are increased to prepare them for the breeding 

 season. 



Fig. 21. — Chute for connecting yards 

 It can be closed by inserting s 

 sliding door in a slot. 



