16 



FARMERS' HULLETIN 795. 



its only means of descending is by falling. Sometimes valuable ani- 

 mals have been seriously injured in this way. To prevent accidents 

 of this kind an intermediate overhang is sometimes constructed 5 

 feet from the ground, as shown in figure 16, or a smooth zone of 

 boards or sheet iron is inserted in the upper half of the fence, as 

 shown in figure 20. 



The yards for sequestering males are usually adjacent to the main 

 yards, with which they are connected by a chute having a sliding 

 door (fig. 21), though sometimes they are separated from the family 



yards. It is advisable 

 to have them roomy, 

 as indicated in figures 

 13 and 14, in order 

 to give the animals 

 enough runway to 

 make them vigorous 

 during exile. When 

 allowed to be together 

 the pair may have the 

 run of both yards. 

 Although quarters for 

 constant occupancy 

 should be roomy, 

 temporary 

 as are re- 

 dealers and 

 for isolat- 

 ing sick or newly ar- 

 rived animals, may be 

 comparatively small. 

 Temporary pens are 

 often not more than 

 6 by 10 feet on the 

 ground and 4 or 5 feet 

 high. They are made 

 with netting on top, bottom, and sides, stretched over a frame of 

 scantlings. The posts do not enter the ground, but rest upon sills, 

 to which they are securely nailed. By means of braces the frame 

 can be made rigid, and when covered with netting is strong enough 

 to be moved without weakening. The cheapness, security, and port- 

 ability of these pens make them a very useful adjunct. Foxes 

 have bred and reared young in temporary pens that were only 12 by 

 1.") feet, but such narrow quarters are not recommended for perma- 

 nent use. 



those for 

 use, such 

 quired by 

 ranchmen 



Fig. 16. — Iron posts and concrete foundations for yard 

 fence, a, and guard fence, 6. Note the 18-inch over- 

 hangs, two on the yard fence, one of which (5 feet 

 from the ground) is to prevent foxes from climbing to 

 the top and the resulting injury from the greater fall. 



