UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DEPARTMENT BULLETIN No. 1151 
Washington, D. C. 
June 20, 1923 
SILVER-FOX FARMING. 
By Frank G. Ashsrook, 
Assistant Biologist, Division of Economic Investigation: 
Bureau of Biological Survey. 1 
CONTENTS. 
Page 
Introduction 1 
What is a silver fox? 2 
History of fox farming 3 
Fox-Crowing areas 4 
Recommendations to beginner.-- 6 
Selecting a ranch >ite , 6 
lianch organization 9 
Pens 11 
Dens, or kennels 22 
Watch tower, or lookout 28 
Guard fence : 30 
Page. 
Essentials of breeding 32 
Essentials of feeding 
General management 45 
Pelting 52 
Sanitation 
Diseases 
Parasites 56 
Preventive measures 56 
Treatment of disease 
Records 58 
Fox shows 59 
INTRODUCTION. 
Silver-fox farming has attracted wide attention, chiefly because 
of the enormous profits derived from the sale of pelts and breeding 
stock. As a fur animal propagated in captivity the silver fox has 
no rival, and both live foxes and their pelts are in demand. Prob- 
ably no other live-stock enterprise pays larger returns for the money 
invested, although erroneous statements regarding this industry 
have been made that have misled the public as to its real status. In 
a majority of instances lack of authentic information concerning the 
feeding, breeding, and management of silver foxes has led to mis- 
statements, although many people have been misled purposely by 
unscrupulous ranchers and organized companies. That such ranch- 
ers and companies would use the silver fox as a medium to extract 
money from persons unfamiliar with the business was only to have 
been expected, as such a condition is found in every enterprise; and 
1 In preparing the section on breeding the writer was assisted by B. V S \etinc 
Chief, and Dr. Sewall Wright, of the Division of Animal Husbandry, Bureau of Animal 
Industry: and by Dr. G. M. Rommel, formerly chief of that division. In preparing the 
section on diseases and parasites he was assisted by Dr. M. C. Hall, of the Bureau of 
Animal Industry: and by Dr. K. B. Hanson and Dr. II. L. VanVolkenberg, of The Bureau 
of Biological Surrey. 
Note. — This bulletin supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 795, The Domesticated Silver Fox, 
31825°— 23 1 
