22 
BULLETIN 1151, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
DENS OR KENNELS. 
Dens or kennels are built mainly for the purpose of sheltering the 
foxes and furnishing a place for the vixen to whelp her young. 
They are built some distance off the ground to prevent foxes from 
digging under them and to furnish shade, and should be so con- 
structed as to protect the occupants from extremes of heat and cold, 
to exclude moisture, and to deaden sound. These features are par- 
ticularly important during the breeding and whelping periods, when 
foxes are usually nervous and when the pups can not stand exposure. 
Fresh air should be obtained by ventilation (see Figs. 23, 31, 32, and 
33) rather than by providing more cubic feet of air space than is 
required, but it is extremely important to avoid the creation of 
drafts. As the dens and nest boxes require frequent cleaning and 
spraying to keep them free from vermin, the construction should be 
as simple as possible. The convenience of the caretaker is a matter 
that is to be kept in mind as well as the comfort of the foxes. 
Fn;. 21. — Connection between den and exercising crate. 
The walls, floor, and roof are generally double boarded with build- 
ing or tarred paper between the boards. All rough edges that a fox 
might rub against should be smoothed and sandpapered, to prevent 
injury to the pelt. 
The roof of the den is generally covered with tarred paper, shin- 
gles, or metal. This is not necessary if it is to be double and made 
of tongue-and-groove boards. It is well, however, to give it two 
coats of paint or to creosote the boards. Creosoted boards, however, 
will not take paint. 5 
Chutes through which the foxes enter the den from the yard 
should be so constructed that they can be hooked to the den and 
easily removed. They should have a slight rather than a steep 
grade, so that the pups can crawl back into the den. In every type 
of den the back and roof should be made on hinges to afford access 
to the interior without unnecessary noise and to facilitate cleaning. 
DOUBLE-BOX DEX. 
The double-box type of den has been found very satisfactory, as 
it facilitate- catching the foxes for inspection and provides a con- 
venient place for starting the pups on feed. It consists of two 
5 See Use of Taint on the Farm. Farmers' Bulletin 474. 
