THE DOMESTICATED SILVER EOX. 



17 



well 

 n of 



When alleys are used between pens, as shown in figure 14, it is 

 to have them closed at the outer ends to facilitate the retur 

 escaped animals and provided with overhangs. 

 Entrance to the yards should be by way of these 

 alleys. 



Doors may be made entirely of wood, or of 

 netting attached to a durable frame which can 

 not be gnawed by a fox or warped (fig. 19). If 

 they are divided into upper and lower sections 

 of equal size, much of the labor of clearing paths 

 when snow is deep can be eliminated by leaving 

 the lower half of each door closed. 



GUARD FENCES. 



The guard fence surrounding a fox ranch is 

 generally constructed like the yard fences already 

 described. "Where snow drifts badly the fence 

 should be built of boards rather than netting, in 

 order to keep the snow from piling up in the FlG - 17 -— Fence extend- 



. 1-1 iu » in, ° tne S r OUUd. 



yards. In addition to the usual inward over- 

 hang, it should have an outward overhang of barbed wire to keep 

 out dogs and other intruders (fig. 15). 



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 

 carrots, and fresh fruits. The selection of meats 

 is largely a. matter of circumstances. At irregu- 

 lar and uncertain intervals one may obtain in- 

 jured or worn-out but otherwise healthy horses, 

 or old' sheep that can not be fattened for mut- 

 18 f ncp turned ^ on ' anc ^ these, w h en slaughtered, make good and 

 inward at surface of cheap meat. Woodchucks and rabbits, freshly 

 ground to form a mat. j^Ued, iVre a l wa y S welcome in a fox yard. When 

 cheap meats fail, beef and poultry are used. 



Fortunately, foxes do not need meat every day. Some keepers 

 feed it but two or three times a week. Young foxes are not allowed 



