How to Breed Foxes

Unlike the common dog, the fox bonds closely with its mate and forms a monogamous relationship. Allow the male and female time to get to know each other. A seasonal breeder, the fox pair will breed in late winter or early spring to create a spring litter. Some breeders allow the babies to remain with the parents until weaned, which often makes the cubs wilder. Other breeders advocate removing the babies from their parents at 10 days old to bottle feed.

Things You'll Need

  • Pen
  • Den
  • Straw
  • Container
  • Bottle
  • Canine milk replacer
  • Canned dog food
  • Cooked liver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a fully enclosed outdoor pen with ample room for the fox pair to run around and play. Place an enclosed den, lined with straw, in the pen for the foxes to hide within. The female fox will give birth in the den.

    • 2

      Avoid unnecessarily disturbing the foxes for the first 10 days after the female fox has given birth. If the fox pair becomes stressed, they may resort to cannibalism.

    • 3

      Remove the fox cubs from the mother and father at 10 days old. Most fox mothers will not object to the cubs' removal.

    • 4

      Place the baby foxes into a container with warm bedding. Keep the foxes inside where they will not become chilled. Avoid placing the container in a drafty location.

    • 5

      Feed the baby foxes every three hours using a canine milk replacer and a baby bottle. Mix the milk replacer according to the directions on the label. Allow the baby fox to drink its fill of the milk replacer at each feeding. Feed the cubs only three or four times when they reach the age of three to four weeks.

    • 6

      Provide the cubs with strips of cooked liver and canned dog food at four weeks of age to wean. Allow the cubs to drink fresh water freely. Gradually eliminate the bottle feeding as the cubs begin consuming predominately solid foods. Fox cubs should be completely weaned by six weeks old.