Comparing the use of enrichment items by cattle in a high containment facility (2024)

Abstract

Interacting with environmental enrichment can reduce morbidity, agression and stereotypic behaviours improving both animal welfare and scientific data output. High containment facilities are limited on space, do not have natural scenery, the cattle are kept together in small groups and have frequent close contact with humans which can create a potentially stressful environment. The provision of environmental enrichment inside high containment facilities is more valuable but inconvenient and it is important to know which items are most effective to improve animal welfare.