Environmental enrichment for a small colony of rats (2020)

Blackburn, N., Cronshaw, G., & Mitchell, M.

Abstract

Our facility predominantly houses mice with a small number of rats used for brain cancer studies. Due to limited space and resource for equipment, we came up with some easy and cost effective ways to improve enrichment for the rat colony. Since implementing our protocol for forage feeding and out of cage enrichment, we have found the rats easier to handle and more confident.Rats also enjoy playing with empty glove boxes, a ‘green’ and cost-effective way to provide extra enrichment for your animals.