Key Points of Feeding and Management Techniques for Fox Farming at Various Stages

I. Feeding and Management Before Breeding 

The breeding preparation period for silver foxes is from December to January of the following year; the breeding preparation period for blue foxes can be extended to February. The main task during this period is to adjust the nutritional level of the daily ration and increase the proportion of protein in the daily ration, so that the breeding foxes reach a moderately above-average body condition before breeding. Different nutritional standards should be applied to breeding foxes that are too fat or too thin, so that their body weight reaches 5-6 kg before breeding. At the same time, light should be gradually increased to stimulate gonadal development, and the breeding foxes should be kept in a sunny place. 

II. Feeding and Management During the Breeding Period 

The breeding period for silver foxes is from February to March; the breeding period for blue foxes is from March to April. During this period, breeding foxes should be supplied with feed that is nutritious, palatable, and easy to digest, and the proportion of trace elements and multivitamins in the feed should be appropriately increased. For each kg of feed, 20-30 mg of vitamin E, 4-5 g of scallion or garlic, and 1-1.5 g of trace elements can be added. 

III. Feeding and Management During Pregnancy 

Female foxes have particularly strong nutritional needs during pregnancy. Attention should be paid to supplying feed with comprehensive nutrition and good quality, and it is strictly forbidden to feed moldy and spoiled feed to prevent miscarriage. At the same time, the hygiene and disinfection of the fox shed should be done well, the fox shed should be kept quiet, and the occurrence of stress factors should be minimized. 

IV. Feeding and Management During Lactation 

Female foxes have relatively poor appetite in the early stage after giving birth. It is best to feed less and add more frequently. After 3 days, feed 3 times a day, at fixed times and in fixed amounts. When the fox cubs grow to 25 days of age, supplementary feeding should be carried out, generally 2 times per day. During supplementary feeding, fresh fish, liver, eggs, milk, and so on can be mixed into a paste for the fox cubs to eat, and after supplementary feeding they should be returned to their original nest. 

V. Feeding and Management During the Growing Period 

Fox cubs can generally be weaned and separated from the nest at 45-90 days of age. In production, this can be flexibly controlled according to the growth and development of the fox cubs. Those that are physically strong and capable of living independently should be separated earlier; those that are relatively weak should have their separation time delayed. After the fox cubs are separated, they enter the growing period. Because the fox cubs grow and develop relatively quickly at this stage, and the fur grows rapidly in the later stage, they need a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, in production, the fox cubs should be allowed to eat well and be full as much as possible to ensure their normal growth and development.