Foxes are not very attentive to their nests, making artificial breeding a relatively simple and cost-effective process. When setting up a breeding area, it's important to choose a location that is dry, well-ventilated, has good drainage, and is easily accessible for water and electricity. A wall should be built around the site, with a sterilized limestone trough at the entrance and a tree planted outside the wall. Inside the area, a fox shed should be constructed to provide shelter from rain, snow, and excessive sunlight. Depending on the number of foxes being bred, cages or enclosures can be placed under the shed.
The shed should be designed to remain cool in summer and warm in winter, ensuring a safe, quiet, and comfortable environment for the animals. It should also be easy to manage, observe, clean, and disinfect.
(1) Fox shelters can be built using angle iron, cement posts, and asbestos tiles, or they can be constructed using brick and wood. The ridge height of the shed should be between 2.6 to 2.8 meters, while the front part of the structure should be about 1.5 to 2 meters high, with a width of 5 to 5.5 meters. A walkway of 1.2 meters in width should be left for easy access.
(2) The fox enclosure is typically divided into two parts: a play area and a nesting chamber. The play area, or cage, is generally made of steel or steel angles, with wire mesh attached to the frame. The mesh size at the bottom should not exceed 3 cm x 3 cm, while the sides should have smaller mesh, no larger than 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm. The cage should be at least 1 meter long, 0.7 meters wide, and 0.8–0.9 meters high. A movable door measuring 0.4 meters by 0.3 meters is installed at the front for capturing and placing the foxes.
The nesting chamber is a small box made of bricks or wooden planks, measuring 0.7 meters long, 0.5 meters wide, and 0.5 meters high. A ceramic pipe, approximately 20–30 cm in diameter and 40 cm long, is connected to the cage to mimic natural den conditions. A plug-in door is also installed at the connection point for isolation and handling. The chamber has a removable cover, and a small 0.2 m x 0.2 m door is reserved on the side near the walkway for inspection and cleaning.
(3) For large-scale breeding, circular enclosures are commonly used. The four walls of the enclosure can be made of bricks, stones, metal sheets, or smooth bamboo, and should be 1.2 to 1.5 meters high. The top of the enclosure is covered with strong wire mesh, and the floor is usually paved with bricks or concrete. Inside the enclosure, there are several nesting chambers, with larger ones measuring 0.7 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m and smaller ones 0.6 m x 0.4 m x 0.5 m. An inlet and outlet hole with a diameter of 20–23 cm is provided for capturing, isolating, and checking the litter.
Some structures combine sheds, cages, and enclosures. The walls are built with bricks and stones, and the top is covered with strong wire mesh. Half of the northern side is covered with reeds and cattle blankets to provide shade, while the southern half remains open for the foxes to enjoy the sun. The ground is covered with cement, and a small shrub is planted in the center. Wooden boxes are placed around, with an opening on one side to allow the foxes to enter and exit freely. This setup promotes natural behavior and enhances the overall welfare of the animals.
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