STLVKR-F( )X FARMING. 
21 
pen. or it may be outside and connected with it by a chute such as has 
been described (see page 12). 
The cheapness, security, and portability of these pens make them 
a very useful adjunct. Every fox ranch should have a number of 
them. They are not only suitable for male foxes and sick or in- 
jured animals but may be used for the pups taken from the mother 
when they are 2 months old. If this is done the dog may be re- 
turned to the breeding pen with the vixen 4 and the pups put in the 
dog pen. Animals that appear to be very thin may be placed in the 
small pens and given individual feed and attention. 
EXERCISING CRATE. 
The main purpose of the exercising crate shown in Figure 20 is 
to provide a place for the pups to sun themselves without getting 
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Fig. 20. — Details of construction of exercisim: erato. 
into the slush and mud that might chill them or even result in their 
contracting pneumonia. Feed can be placed in it. thus facilitating 
the feeding of the mother and pups during the lactation period. 
This crate is easily and cheaply constructed, the floor elevated 9 
inches above the ground. The uprights and braces are of 2 by 
4- material, and the outside dimensions arc ."> feet long, 3 feci wide, 
and 2^ feet high. The floor and roof are of tongue-and-groove 
boards of any convenient width. The door may be either of wire 
or of wood. The wire surrounding the crate is 2.1-inch mesh. No. 
15 gauge. The den and exercising crate should be connected by a 
chute 4 feet long. 10 inches high, and 9 inches wide | Fig. 21). Two 
sliding doors are inserted in the chute, so that the foxes can be shut 
in or out of the den or exercising crate as desired. 
4 " Vixen "• is tli.' name given to the female fox; "dog" to the male. 
