Fox Raising and Management

The Division of the Fox Biology Period

 

　　During its long evolutionary process, the fox exhibits distinct seasonal changes in its life activities—such as breeding and mating in spring, nurturing young during summer and autumn, and accumulating nutrients and growing a thick coat before winter sets in. In the management of foxes, the rearing periods are divided based on the animal's varying physiological characteristics throughout the year; these are referred to as the biological phases of the fox (see figure).

 

　　It must be emphasized that the different biological stages of foxes are inherently interconnected and cannot be completely separated. For instance, if proper feeding and management practices are not maintained during the pre-breeding period, even intensified care and supplementation with ample animal-based feed during the breeding phase may fail to yield optimal results. Only by placing equal importance on managing each stage can foxes achieve outstanding production outcomes.

 

Feeding and Management of Foxes at Different Biological Stages

 

I. Feeding and Management During the Breeding Preparation Period

 

　　It is generally believed that the preparation period for fox mating lasts 1.5 to 2 months before breeding. In reality, however, male foxes enter this preparatory phase immediately after mating ends, while female foxes begin preparing as soon as their offspring are weaned. Meanwhile, young foxes start getting ready for the next breeding season as early as late August. During the preparation period, foxes undergo notable physiological changes: they begin growing their winter fur, and their reproductive organs transition from a dormant state into rapid development.

 

1. Feeding Preparation for the Breeding Period

 

　　The entire feeding task during the foxes' breeding preparation period involves providing the nutrients needed for the development of their reproductive organs and coat changes, as well as storing sufficient energy reserves for the winter months. At this stage, young foxes are still in the late stages of growth and development, while adult male breeding foxes experience significant physical exhaustion during both the mating season and the lactation period after giving birth—making it crucial to allow them a recovery phase. To better facilitate the rapid restoration of the breeding foxes'体力, the nutritional levels in their feed should remain consistent—neither reduced nor increased—for 10 to 15 days following the completion of mating in males and weaning in females. The breeding preparation period is a prolonged process that typically begins from late August to early September, when the sexual organs of both male and female foxes (including juveniles) start to mature in anticipation of the upcoming breeding season. During this time, the testes in males and the ovaries in females begin to develop, necessitating an increase in dietary nutrient intake. Specifically, silver-black foxes require approximately 9 grams of digestible protein per 418 kJ of metabolic energy, while Arctic foxes need about 8 grams of digestible protein per 418 kJ of metabolic energy, along with supplemental vitamin E at 5–10 mg. Only by maintaining these optimal nutritional levels can the proper development of the breeding foxes' reproductive organs be ensured. By mid-November, silver-black foxes—and by mid-December, Arctic foxes—have already entered the critical phase of their breeding preparation period. At this point, their dietary nutrient requirements must be further elevated: digestible protein intake should reach at least 10 grams per 418 kJ of metabolic energy, accompanied by an additional daily supplement of 10–15 mg of vitamin E. If the feeding regimen during this period is nutritionally incomplete or insufficient in quantity, it could lead to impaired sperm and egg production in breeding foxes, negatively affecting female foxes' ability to conceive and deliver healthy litters. Moreover, for fur-bearing foxes, inadequate nutrition during this time may result in inferior-quality pelts—characterized by thinner, less pliable fur and smaller skin dimensions—ultimately reducing overall economic profitability.

 

2 Management During the Breeding Preparation Period

 

　　In addition to providing the foxes with adequate nutrition during the breeding season, it's also essential to strengthen feeding and management practices.

 

　　(1) Increase Light Exposure: Light is one of the essential conditions for animal reproduction. To promote the healthy development of breeding foxes' reproductive organs, all breeding foxes should be kept outdoors under natural sunlight rather than in dark indoor spaces or small dens. Practice has shown that adequate light exposure supports the proper development of foxes' reproductive organs, facilitating estrus and mating. However, irregular increases or decreases in light exposure can disrupt the normal development of their reproductive systems and impair the healthy growth of their luxurious fur.

 

　　(2) Cold Protection and Warmth Maintenance: As the breeding season progresses into colder weather—especially in northern regions where the "nine-nine" cold period has already begun—it’s crucial to strengthen insulation efforts for the small enclosures. This will help minimize the foxes’ excessive energy expenditure on resisting external cold. Ensure that each enclosure is equipped with dry, soft bedding materials, and seal any gaps or openings using materials like oilcloth or plastic sheeting. Additionally, regularly inspect and clean enclosures where individual foxes have defecated, promptly replacing or replenishing the bedding as needed.

 

　　(3) Ensure adequate feed intake and sufficient water access: As the breeding season approaches and temperatures gradually drop, feed stored outdoors can quickly freeze, negatively impacting foxes' appetite. Therefore, when feeding, it’s advisable to slightly warm the food to ensure the foxes can enjoy a comforting, room-temperature meal. Additionally, water is an essential component for the growth and development of foxes; severe dehydration can lead to metabolic imbalances and even death, while even mild dehydration may result in reduced appetite and weight loss. To support healthy breeding preparation, make sure the fox population has a reliable and ample supply of drinking water, providing it at least 2–3 times daily.

 

　　(4) Enhance Training: Use methods such as food incentives to train the foxes so they no longer fear humans, which is beneficial for breeding—especially since sound-based domestication proves particularly important.

 

　　(5) Properly manage and adjust the body condition of breeding foxes: A breeding fox's body condition is closely linked to its reproductive performance, including estrus, mating, and litter production. Both excessive fatness and extreme leanness can negatively impact fertility. Therefore, during the preparation period for breeding, it’s essential to regularly monitor and fine-tune the foxes' body condition, ensuring they maintain an optimal weight. In practical breeding operations, assessing a fox's body condition typically involves visual inspection and palpation, complemented by weight measurements. Fox body conditions are generally categorized into three types: obese, moderately fit, and underweight.

 

　　(6) Heterosexual Stimulation: In the late stage of preparation for mating, temporarily separate the male and female fox cages while increasing their contact time to stimulate gonadal development.

 

　　(7) Prepare thoroughly for breeding: For silver-black foxes, complete all pre-breeding preparations by mid-January; for Arctic foxes, ensure everything is ready by mid-February. This includes repairing the enclosures and performing a thorough disinfection using a blowtorch. Develop a detailed breeding plan and strategy, gather essential breeding tools such as trapping tongs or nets, gloves, breeding records, medications, and other necessary supplies. Additionally, organize technical training sessions to equip staff with the skills needed for successful breeding operations.

 

2. Breeding-Season Feeding and Management

 

　　The breeding season is a critical period for fox farms throughout the year, as effective management during this time ensures that each fox is accurately and appropriately bred. Timely mating—whether through natural mating or timely artificial insemination—is the foundation for achieving high productivity and abundant yields. For silver-black foxes, the breeding season typically occurs from late January to early March each year, while Arctic foxes breed slightly later, from late February into April or early May. During this period, both male and female foxes experience a general decline in appetite due to hormonal changes, accompanied by behaviors such as estrus and courtship.

 

1 Feeding During the Breeding Period

 

　　The primary goal of this breeding phase is to ensure that male foxes maintain strong, sustained mating ability and exhibit excellent semen quality, while female foxes show normal estrous cycles and successfully complete mating at the right time. During this period, both males and females experience heightened sexual drive, increased mental excitement, restlessness, and heightened activity levels—combined with reduced appetite. Therefore, it’s essential to provide high-quality, nutritionally balanced feed that is palatable, easily digestible, and rich in essential nutrients. Additionally, the proportion of animal-based ingredients in their daily diet should be appropriately increased, such as eggs, brain tissue, fresh meat, liver, and dairy products, while also supplementing their diet with a variety of vitamins and minerals. In terms of nutritional requirements, the metabolic energy level should be set at approximately 418 kJ per day, with digestible protein content no lower than 10 grams. It’s also recommended to supplement each fox daily with 15 mg of vitamin E. Given that breeding-season male foxes experience intense sexual arousal, heightened activity, significant physical exertion, and often irregular eating habits, it’s crucial to provide them with an extra, nutrient-dense meal around noon—or even offer them half to one whole egg daily—to help replenish their energy reserves.

 

2 Management During the Breeding Period

 

　　(1) Preventing Escape of Foxes: During the breeding season, both male and female foxes experience heightened sexual urges, leading to restlessness and increased physical activity. Therefore, it’s crucial to regularly inspect the stability of cages and enclosures to ensure they remain secure, effectively preventing foxes from escaping. When identifying estrus in female foxes and carrying out mating procedures, it’s essential to use proper techniques and maintain full concentration—otherwise, accidents involving injuries to both humans and foxes may easily occur.

 

　　(2) Properly conduct estrus detection and breeding records: During the breeding season, begin by assessing the estrus status of female foxes to determine the optimal timing for mating. Estrus checks should typically be conducted every 2-3 days; however, for females nearing the end of their estrous cycle, daily inspections and mating attempts are essential.

 

　　(3) Enhance Water Intake: During the breeding period, both male and female foxes increase their physical activity. Combined with the gradual shift from cold to warmer temperatures, the foxes' water requirements steadily rise. Ensure that the water bowls are consistently filled with fresh, clean water throughout the day, or provide water at least four times daily.

 

　　(4) Distinguishing between estrus and illness: During the breeding season, foxes may experience heightened sexual drive and reduced appetite—especially males in the early stages of pairing, and females approaching estrus—leading some to refuse food altogether for several days. It’s important to differentiate this behavioral pattern from signs of disease or injury, ensuring timely treatment for any sick or injured foxes.

 

　　(5) Ensure a breeding environment: During the mating period, the breeding facility must remain quiet, and visitors are not allowed.

 

III. Feeding and Management During Pregnancy

 

　　The period from the formation of the fertilized egg to the birth of the fetus is known as the fox's gestation period. During this time, the mother fox experiences physiological changes such as fetal development, mammary gland growth, and the beginning of shedding her winter coat in preparation for her summer fur.

 

　　Pregnancy is the period when maternal foxes have the highest nutritional requirements of all biological phases throughout the year. During this time, in addition to maintaining their own metabolism, mothers must supply the developing fetuses with essential nutrients for growth and development—and at the same time, they need to accumulate reserves to fuel lactation after birth.

 

　　During pregnancy, the amount of feed should be moderate, gradually increasing as the days of gestation advance, while also being adjusted flexibly based on individual conditions. The body condition of pregnant female foxes must not become overly fat, as this could negatively impact fetal development.

 

4. Feeding and Management During the Farrowing and Lactation Periods

 

　　The lactation period begins when the female fox gives birth and continues until the kits are weaned and separated into their own dens. For silver-black foxes, the birthing season typically occurs from late March to late April, while for Arctic foxes, it usually spans from mid-April to early June. During this critical period, female foxes undergo significant physiological changes and experience substantial physical exhaustion. Therefore, the primary focus of feeding and management practices is to ensure the survival and healthy development of the kits, ultimately aiming for high productivity and abundant yields.

 

V. Raising and Managing Breeding Foxes

 

　　The recovery period for breeding foxes refers to the time from when mating ends in male foxes until their reproductive organs resume development, and from when nursing females are weaned and separated into dens until their reproductive organs begin developing again. After enduring the physical exhaustion of the breeding season, these foxes typically appear thinner, with reduced appetite and the lowest body weight across the entire group. Therefore, the primary goal during this recovery phase is to ensure that lactating females receive adequate nutrition to fully replenish and restore their energy reserves depleted during reproduction—laying a solid foundation for the next round of production later in the year. Another key physiological feature of this period is that breeding foxes start shedding their dense winter coats, replacing them with lighter, duller summer fur, while simultaneously preparing for the rapid growth of their thick, insulating winter undercoat by autumn.

 

6. Feeding and Management During the Young Fox Rearing Period

 

The juvenile fox rearing period refers to the stage when young foxes transition away from their mother's care and enter a fully mature phase of independent life. During this period, assimilation exceeds dissimilation, leading to rapid growth and development, with body weight increasing steadily in a straight line. This phase is critical for the continued growth and maturation of young foxes, as well as the gradual development of their winter coat. In fact, the ultimate size of the adult fox and the quality of its fur are entirely determined by the feeding and management practices applied during this crucial rearing period.

 

(The author of this article is Yu Miao from the Technical Service Department of Chengdu Dadi Hank Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Originally published in "Voice of the Earth" No. 107. All rights reserved. Please credit the source when reprinting or sharing.)