The Dickinson press., 1914-02-07
HOW FOXES
ARE REARED
Continued from page ~

The fur is prime in November and the
pelt is taken from the animal the last
week in December. The color of the fur
is a glossy black all over, except the
tip of the tail. which is white, a mark
of Identification for the species. The
black must have a blush cast (not red
or brown) all over the body, The cost
Hest jurs had only a few silver hairs
we'll scattered over the pelt which is
sometimes six inches long. The beauty
of the pelt is largely due to the over
hair and it is the glossy black or mag
nificent sheer of the over hair with just
enough of the over hair tipped with
silver mot white) to be discernible that
makes the Silver fox so much more .valu-
able than his red brother.
In the restraining and handling Of
such valuable animals every care and
precaution is taken for their comfort
and protection. AS only a rare indi-
vidual can afford to own a pair of silvers
a company is formed and Incorporated
and enough, shares sold to buy two or
more pairs and build a ranch, the most
favored location being on we'll drained
ground, in q Grove of young hardwood
and evergreen trees, and occupies from
one to five acres according to the num-
ber of foxes to be kept therein.
To build the outer or guard fence Of
the enclosure the timber is cut away
along the line of the proposed fence Tor
guard against fire and to prevent foxes
from climbing the trees and getting out.
Then an upright board fence, nine feet
high, is constructed. The inside of this
fence is covered With woven wire of
two inch mesh, extending t o the top,
with an over hanging of two feet. At
bottom of the fence is a carpet wire of
the same. extending inward two feet.
This is to prevent the foxes from digging
out under the fences. Within this en-
closure are the paddocks that will contain
the foxes, a male and female to each
pen. Az foxes in the wild state are
homogeneous they are in captivity paired
for lie. The pens are constructed of
woven wire only, nailed to ce6ar posts
and is the same height as guard fences,
also having ar overhanging at tops.
At the bottom the wire extends down
four feet or so into the ground until a
solid subsoil is reached.
The usual size of the pens are Is by
so feet, with a smaller pen along side
for the male. where he is kept after
mating, during the period Of CESSATION,
which is about 81 days. Within the
pens all sharp sticks and stumps are re-
moved near fences so that foxes that
may become alarmed and climb fences
to escape may not fall on such and in
jure their limbs or cause an abortion.
In each pen is built a kennel or small:
wooden house with a floor space of
about 3 by AZ feet, 3 feet high. This
has a door in end for the keeper to look
in and q passage way at floor ~ by
10 inches, constructed with four boards,
for foxes to enter. Within this kennel
is a smaller one, just big enough to
prevent crowdine. and small enough to
be warmed by the heat Of the fox, The
common size Of thia nest house is i18 by
20 inches high with an entrance on side.
8 inches in diameter. The space be-
tween the walls Of the two houses on
the six sides is packed with ground
cork. sea weed, chaF or leaves. The
nests aresproperlys ventilated.
Between January 1st and June 30th.
every precaution is taken in the handl-s
ing of the breeders. Owing to their
wild nature some foxes are very sensa-
tive to strange sights, noises and smell.
During this season the keeper allows no
one about the ranch. even domestic ami
mails are barred from a near approach.
Notices are posted forbidding strangers
70 trespass on the ranch premises. The
keeper moves cautiously and quietly
about the pens when feeding, even
wearing the same overcoat while per-
forming this function. On some
49, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ranches is small house so situated
that the aan in charge can approach
it without being seen BY the foxes and.
from, q darkened room. observe them in
the different pens. There is usually a
day and night man on duty. Electric.
devices, blood hounds and fire arms are
ever available to keep off thieves and.
unwelcome intruders- of all kinds and
soma ranches are lit up with electric
lights.
During April and May the pups come,
there Is but one litter q year and may
consist of from o to nine pups. For
thirty days previous to birth Of the
young and for the same length Of time
after. no one. not even the keeper. dare
approach the kennel. for the penalty
for this indiscretion would be the loss
of thewhelps. the mother fox Invariably
carrying them but and destroying them.
Hin about four weeks they ON j Of