SILVER-FOX FARMING. 
45 
Rations composed of such feed make the feces very bulky, and to 
counteract this cod-liver oil and eggs may be added. 
Breeders differ in opinion as to whether pups should be sepa- 
rated from the mother at a certain age or be allowed to wean them- 
selves. After the young reach the age of 8 weeks both they and 
their mother can be handled to better advantage if fed separately. 
Size and development determine the weaning age. 
The pups' feed should be varied as much as possible; that is, it 
should not be restricted to one cereal or one kind of meat. Beef 
should form a large part of the ration, as this in itself is a fairly well 
balanced feed. Bone meal, fish meal, and edible tankage should be 
added to insure a supply of lime. Limewater is of no value to offset 
a deficiency of lime in the ration, but in counteracting acidity of the 
stomach is an aid to digestion. Freshly formed clabber is a good 
feed for young pups once or twice a week. 
The rations shown in Table 4 have been used successfully on the 
Canadian Experimental Fox Ranch at Hull, Quebec, as reported 
by Mr. Smith, the pups raised on this feed showing no sign of 
rickets and maintaining uniform growth and developing good fur. 
Tabli: 4. — Sugffeated rations for pups up to the ape of ,"> months. 
Kind of feed. 
Amount per pup, at the age of— 
2 
months. 
2-J 
months. 
3 
months. 
4 5 
months, months. 
Milk pint.. 
Cereals, 
cooked 1 . ounces.. 
Bread do... 
Meat, ground. do... 
Meat do... 
3 
8 
1 
1 
1 
\ 
H 
l 
2 
i 
i 
i 
2 
2 
4 
i 
2 
6 
1 
i 
8 
1 
Fat or oil do... 
Egg do... 
£ 
\ 
1 Dry weight. 
VIXENS EATING THEIR YOUNG. 
Cannibalism among foxes is not natural, and the vixen's desire 
to destroy her young may result from any of a number of causes. 
If constipated, she becomes feverish and develops an abnormal appe- 
tite, and in this condition may eat her pups. To prevent this, laxa- 
tive feeds, as cod-liver oil, eggs, liver, oil meal, and biscuits, should 
be fed during pregnancy. Undue excitement or injury during preg- 
nancy may also influence destruction of the young. Some breeders 
have advocated the feeding of salt pork and salt fish to eliminate this 
tendency, but this is not always successful. It is not advisable to 
destroy a valuable vixen because she eats her first litter, but in case 
she continues the practice with subsequent litters her pelt should 
be taken during the prime season. 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 
Successful fox farming requires good management in the organiza- 
tion of the ranch, selection of stock, feeding, and breeding, combined 
