FOX RAISING.
The foxes of North America are divided by naturalists into only three
distinct groups or species, namely, the red, the gray and the Arctic
foxes. Of these, the red species is divided into a number of varieties,
among which are the Nova Scotia Red Fox, the Newfoundland Red Fox and
the Western Kit or Swift Fox, etc.
The black, cross and silver foxes are commonly supposed to be only color
varieties of the red, there being no difference whatever, except in the
fur. While naturalists all agree on this subject there is considerable
difference of opinion among others who give as proof that they are of a
different species, the fact that the black, cross and silver are only
found in the northern districts while the red variety is found well down
into the south. There are, however, certain facts which go to prove that
they are all of the same variety or if different that they interbreed,
the most convincing of these being the fact that the various colors are
sometimes found in the same litter. But, be this as it may, the matter
is of little importance to the prospective fox breeder as it has become
a well known fact that the red color can be entirely eliminated by
careful breeding.
The red fox is found throughout the greater part of Canada and the
United States except in the far south where it is replaced by the gray
species and in the extreme northern portions of Canada and Alaska, where
it gives place to the Arctic fox, also they are not found in the far
western states nor on the Pacific coast, being replaced here by the
gray. They are perhaps most abundant in the New England States,
Newfoundland and the eastern provinces of Canada, but are also found in
good numbers in parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
and the mountainous and hilly sections of the South.
The silver and black foxes are found but rarely in the most northern
tier of states and are probably found in the greatest numbers in
Newfoundland, Labrador, northern Quebec and northern Ontario, but an odd
specimen is occasionally met with in all parts of Canada. They appear
also to be quite plentiful in the interior of Alaska and the Yukon
Province of Canada. The range of the cross fox is the same as that of
the silver and black except that it probably extends somewhat farther
southward into the United States.
Of the gray foxes, several varieties are recognized, all however, being
very much alike. They are found throughout the Southern and South
Central States--in the east being found as far north as Connecticut and
on the Pacific Coast are found in California and Oregon.
The Arctic fox, also known as the blue fox and the white fox, is found
only in northern Canada and Alaska. In the most northern parts of their
range they are a bluish color in summer, changing to white in winter,
but in the lower latitudes they retain the blue color throughout the
year.
There is an immense difference in the value of the various varieties of
foxes. While the fur of the gray variety is seldom worth more than a
dollar or a dollar and a half, that of the fine silver and black foxes
will range from several hundred to a thousand dollars, and more if the
skin is an exceptionally fine one. The Arctic fox comes next in value to
the silver, while the cross is as a rule of less value, depending mostly
on color, and the red variety sells for from three to five dollars each
and upwards for prime skins.
[Illustration: Northwestern Fox Skins--Silver, Cross and Red.]
The various members of the red fox family are practically the same as
regards habits, being influenced to a certain extent by environments,
differences in climate and food, etc., but on the whole very much alike.
They are all of a cunning, wary and suspicious nature and it is owing to
this fact alone that they have been enabled to live and thrive in the
face of the persistent hunting and trapping. They are hardy animals and
while they generally have a den somewhere on the side of a gravelly or
sandy hill, they spend comparatively little of their time in the dens
and prefer to spend the day in a bunch of grass or weeds, a clump of
brush, or, curled up on top of a stump.
In their search for food they sometimes start out quite early in the
evening, but are probably most active in the early morning when all
animal life is on the move. Then it is that the rabbits and other
nocturnal animals are seeking their places of rest and the birds, etc.,
are commencing to move about and the fox stands a better chance of
securing some article of food.
Their food consists principally of small animals and birds, such as
rabbits, partridge, quail, chipmunks and mice, but they also eat fruit,
such as apples, wild grapes and nuts. However, they are more strictly
carnivorous than the gray fox. They are fond of eggs and often rob the
nests of ground building birds, of eggs and young, and in the settled
sections have acquired a decided liking for poultry of all kinds.
The food of the gray fox is practically the same as that of the red
variety but they are more given to eating fruit and feed extensively on
grapes, apples, etc., and in some sections they feed on green corn. All
foxes will eat fish with a relish when they can get them and will refuse
scarcely anything in the line of flesh, being especially fond of
muskrat, skunk and opossum. In captivity they take very kindly to a
vegetable diet.
The Arctic foxes live chiefly on lemmings, small animals which are found
quite plentifully in the far north, but in captivity they thrive on fish
and cooked corn meal.
The mating season of the red fox comes mainly in February and the
beginning of March and the young, from five to eight or nine, are born
in April or early in May. The young of the gray fox are born in May, the
mating season of this species being somewhat later than that of the red
fox. The breeding dens of the fox are usually located on some gravelly
hillside but in places where the country is broken and rocky. They use
natural dens in the rocks. It is only during the breeding season and
while the young foxes are still quite small that these dens are
regularly inhabited. At other times they may spend an occasional day
there or seek safety in the dens when hard pressed by hounds, but for
the most part they prefer to rest out of doors.
Foxes prefer the rough hilly countries and are usually found in good
numbers in the hilly farming sections where there are old pastures and
an occasional patch of woodland. The gray fox is most at home in the
wooded districts but the red species, including the silver, cross and
black prefer the more open stretches of country. In the north they will
be found most plentiful in the barrens and sections where second-growth
timber prevails.
The two species do not appear to be on very friendly terms and not given
to mixing one with the other. In some sections where red foxes were once
numerous and the gray variety were unknown, the grays now predominate,
having driven out the red variety. In other parts the reds have
supplanted the grays. This, however, is only in the central and southern
districts, as the gray fox is never found far north.
FOX FARMING.--Fox farming has been attempted by various parties from
time to time and those who have given the business considerable study
and have persevered have generally been successful. Many of the parties,
however, were men who have had practically no knowledge of nature,
having gone into the business too deeply in the start and being
ignorant of the nature and habits of the animals when found in a wild
state, have as a consequence, failed. Very few of those who have made a
success of breeding the valuable silver foxes have gone into this
business in the start, but have first experimented with the less
valuable red fox, and as the silver and red foxes are of the same
variety their nature and habits are also the same, and the knowledge of
their habits gained by experimenting with one is of equal value as
applied to the other.
The Arctic foxes are being raised successfully on many of the islands
off the coast of Alaska. As the seas never freeze over there, no
enclosures are necessary and the business has proved comparatively easy
from the start. Such islands are not within the reach of the average fox
farmer and other means must be resorted to. The breeding of silver foxes
has, thus far, been carried on mainly in the Canadian Maritime Provinces
and the state of Maine, but it has also been undertaken to some extent
in Michigan, Alaska, Labrador and Newfoundland.
We are certain that if one will give the matter sufficient study, learn
the habits and nature of the animals thoroughly and act accordingly,
success is sure to follow and that the red, cross and silver foxes may
be bred and raised successfully. Experiments should be conducted on a
small scale, for otherwise failure would mean a great loss. We would
advise that the amateur conduct his experiments with red foxes, learning
their habits thoroughly before attempting the breeding of the valuable
silver-gray.
FAVORABLE LOCALITIES.--It is a well known fact that the finest furs are
produced in northern localities and fox farming should not be attempted
in the far south. The accompanying map, which is taken from the bulletin
of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, will show the area most suitable
for silver fox farming. The plainly lined portions show the most
suitable country, and conditions in those parts are most excellent and
the cross-hatched parts show the area where silver fox raising is
possible and conditions favorable. The red fox will do well somewhat
farther south, but as before stated, the warm climate of the south is
detrimental to fine furs, and it will be wise to not locate too far
south of the shaded portions shown on the map.
[Illustration: Map of life zones in which fox farming is feasible in the
United States, showing the Canadian zone where conditions are excellent,
and the Transition zone, in parts of which conditions are favorable.]
Having decided on a favorable section of country the next step is to
find a suitable location. It is not necessary or even advisable to have
a large enclosure. For the beginner a half-acre to an acre will be
sufficient, and a space of four or five acres is ample for extensive
operations. If the enclosure is too large the animals will be wild and
unmanageable, and on the other hand if too small they will become
nervous and restless and will not breed well, and it is advised also
that the foxes be not disturbed by visitors and be allowed to live as
quietly as possible. A sandy soil is recommended, and there should be
some trees for shade, but a thick woods is not desirable.
ENCLOSURES.--Fences should be made of galvanized woven wire of two-inch
mesh,--number 14 or 16 wire being best. The fence should be ten feet in
height and should be sunk in the ground two feet and turned in two feet
at the top. The overhang at the top is easily adjusted by means of cross
strips on the top of the posts. Care in making the fences is essential,
and if there is much snow in winter the drifts must not be allowed to
become high enough to allow the animals to leap over. It is advisable to
have a set of inside enclosures, and as it is necessary that the animals
are not annoyed by visitors. It is a good plan to have the space between
the inside and outside fences filled with trees and clumps of brush so
as to obstruct the view. The inner enclosures are small and designed for
single animals and pairs and should be about thirty or forty feet in
size. There should also be several larger enclosures for the males and
females, for, except during the breeding season it will do no harm to
allow the males to run together. Each separate enclosure should be
provided with a gate so that it will be an easy matter to remove the
foxes from one enclosure to another. The plan for the arrangement of the
yards as shown here is a good one and is taken from the Government
Bulletin.
[Illustration: Plan for Arrangement of Fox Yards.]
Each compartment should be provided with small kennels, for although the
fox will usually dig a den, the nature of the ground is not always
suitable and they take kindly to these artificial dens. They are usually
made four or five feet square and two or three feet high. If desired,
shelters may be made of boxes as shown in the cut. No bedding is
required, as the old foxes will do well without or will provide one
themselves.
[Illustration: Box Shelter for Female and Young.]
FEEDING.--Many fox raisers have failed to recognize the fact that the
fox is almost omnivorous and give a strictly meat diet according. While
this does not always have disastrous results, it is better to give them
a mixed food, including besides meat, table scraps, bread and milk, etc.
Overfeeding is a common trouble and should be avoided. Of course they
must have sufficient, but should not be allowed to become too fat, as
this spoils them for breeding purposes; also feeding should be at
regular intervals. The weight of a healthy fox is from six to nine
pounds, and when an animal weighs more than ten pounds it is almost
certain that it is too fat. When a number of animals are kept together
in one enclosure the boldest and strongest will usually get more than
its share of the food. Of course fresh drinking water must be provided
regularly.
One of the most successful breeders feeds a quarter of a pound of meat
and a quart of skim milk daily. A quarter of a pound of meat and a
handful of scraps is a fair daily allowance. Another fox farmer feeds
along with the meat a hoecake made of corn meal and sour milk.
Beef, mutton, fish, horseflesh, etc., are all good food for the fox. Old
worn-out animals may be secured in any rural district, but it is
absolutely necessary that the animals be healthy and the meat should be
kept on ice. One breeder claims that if everything were purchased, his
foxes would not cost him more than one cent each a day, but as he feeds
considerable table scraps the cost is even less.
BREEDING.--In the wild state the male fox mates with a single female but
in captivity one male will answer for two or even three females but it
is best to have all animals in pairs. It has been found best to place
the male with the female in December or January and leave them in
company until the last of March when the males should be removed. The
females should be kept in the small enclosures continuously and the
young foxes removed when weaned. They breed the first season, when less
than a year old, but as a rule the litters are small.
[Illustration: Corner of Fox Yard showing Stones to Prevent Escape by
Digging.]
As before stated it is absolutely necessary to prevent the animals from
becoming nervous from too frequent visits of strangers. This nervousness
has a bad effect on their breeding qualities. It is especially bad
after the young foxes are born, as the mother fearing for the safety of
her young, will move them about continuously until they are badly
injured or die of exposure. The keeper also should not disturb the young
but should keep away from them as much as possible. In raising silver
foxes, only the most perfect specimens should be kept for breeding
purposes. However, if there is a tendency to show some red among the fur
this may be bred out entirely by using care in selecting the breeding
stock.
[Illustration: Fox Yards, Showing Detail of Outer Fence.]
As there is considerable difference in the disposition of individuals
this should also be kept in mind and those animals showing the least
aversion to man should be selected, providing, of course, that they are
prolific and otherwise perfect.
A party in Ohio who has been raising foxes for some time writes as
follows:
Two years ago I added foxes to my game preserve and last spring my red
gave birth to five young foxes. My black male fox got to the young and
killed the three males. I now have three cross foxes, one black and four
red. I expect to have a big increase in the spring. Should I get a lot
of black pups next spring I will surely do well with my foxes.
I find that foxes are not strictly carnivorous (flesh eating) animals. I
feed them stale bread, milk and any kind of a dead fowl, rats, mice,
stale meats, muskrat, coon or any other carcass. I aim to give them all
they will eat, yet I often have thought that I feed them too much at one
time and not enough at other times.
I think foxes should be fed morning and evening only about what they
will eat. They should be given fresh water twice a day during the summer
months and the water should not be given them in a shallow vessel,
nothing lower than an ordinary bucket. They are sure to foul the water
if they can get over or in it.
Allow me to suggest to any one who contemplates raising foxes that one
of the essential things to do is to first build a kennel in such a way
that they will not gnaw or dig out. A safe fox pen can be built by
putting a stone wall or concrete two feet down, setting posts first,
then build wall around posts. Don't use any netting over two-inch mesh
and the poultry netting should be made of No. 17 wire. Fox will tear the
ordinary two-inch poultry netting as fast as you can put it on.
My kennel is 50 feet by 25 feet and 7 feet high, covered over the top
with ordinary poultry netting. One of the essential things to do after
kennel is built is to see that it is properly underdrained and to see
that plenty of dry leaves are put in kennel. Straw will do if leaves
cannot be gotten. A mound of earth would be an excellent thing in each
apartment of your kennels. Foxes are great to be constantly digging in
the ground. Keep plenty of boxes in your kennel with a nice smooth hole
in each box, as a rough hole destroys their fur.
[Illustration: Yards of a Successful Maine Fox Farm.]
A summary of the whole shows that the points most necessary of
consideration for success is in proper feeding, in giving particular
attention to the animals during the breeding season, in using special
care to prevent them from being frightened and in the keeper winning the
confidence of the captive animals. A careful study of their nature is
advised and it should always be kept in mind that foxes are wild animals
and therefore should have far more attention than is necessary with
domestic animals.