24 
BULLETIN 1151, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEI CULTURE. 
Each compartment or nest box is 20 inches square, the inside con- 
struction being of the same general character as that described for 
the double-box den. The chutes are 9 by 10 inches by 4 feet, and the 
opening into the chute is on one side, to prevent direct drafts. The 
top or roof of the kennel is hinged. In Figure 25 is illustrated a 
double-compartment den with one chute entrance. 
BARREL DEN. 
The barrel den shown in Figures 26 to 29 is still in common use, 
more as a shelter for the foxes, however, than as a whelping nest. 
In ranches where there are two dens, or kennels, in a single fox pen 
TOP PLM J//EW 
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S/DE ELEI//9T/OA/ /SO/?/ZOWT#L SECT/OWL 1//EJV 
Fig. 23. — Practical den, with removable nest box. 
one is generally of this construction. It is made of a clean barrel 
placed inside a protecting box, the space between the two being filled 
with oat hulls or other materials, the best material to be used depend- 
ing largely on what is most easily obtainable. An entrance hole, 
9 by 10 inches, is made in one end of the barrel, and a similar open- 
ing in the upper side for inspection, cleaning, and ventilation. The 
barrel should have a smooth interior. A screen door is hinged above 
the barrel to prevent the foxes from escaping when the cover is raised, 
and a sheet of burlap tacked to one side of the frame and spread 
over the netting when the cover is raised for ventilation will keep 
out air currents and light. At the entrance hole is an elbow spout 2| 
feet in the shorter arm and 6 feet in the longer. 
