Publications

Reinforcer effectiveness in dogs—The influence of quantity and quality

Reinforcer effectiveness refers to the reinforcer's ability to control the subject's target behaviour and is therefore critical to training success. Yet animals' preferences, and the effectiveness of different rewards to function as reinforcers, are often assumed without scientific investigation. Here...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Riemer, S., Ellis, S. L. H., Thompson, H. et al. 2018. Reinforcer effectiveness in dogs—The influence of quantity and quality. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 206, 87-93.

Breaking up is hard to do: Does splitting cages of mice reduce aggression?

Injurious aggression in group housed male laboratory mice is a common welfare issue that can also negatively affect study outcomes. Often, one mouse in the cage appears unwounded, and the current standard practice is to remove this presumed aggressor. This...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Blankenberger, W. B., Weber, E. M., Chu, D. K. et al. 2018. Breaking up is hard to do: Does splitting cages of mice reduce aggression? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 206, 94-101.

Colour polymorphic Gouldian finches avoid complex backgrounds but prefer simple camouflage colours over white backgrounds

Many animals blend in well with their environment known as camouflage which is a successful predator avoidance strategy. However, captive environments often do not allow for camouflage and may result in stress and reduced welfare. We investigated whether colour polymorphic...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Finch

Citation: Perkovic, K., Mettke-Hofmann, C. 2018. Colour polymorphic Gouldian finches avoid complex backgrounds but prefer simple camouflage colours over white backgrounds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 206, 102-108.

Effects of environmental complexity on fearfulness and learning ability in fast growing broiler chickens

Increasing environmental complexity, i.e. by providing environmental enrichment, has been suggested as a way to improve broiler chicken welfare. One issue affecting broiler welfare is the level of fearfulness of the flock. Exaggerated fear responses may cause smothering and mortality....

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Tahamtani, F. M., Pedersen, I. J., Toinon, C. et al. 2018. Effects of environmental complexity on fearfulness and learning ability in fast growing broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 207, 49-56.

Low welfare impact of noise: Assessment in an experimental model of mice infected by Herpes simplex-1

The breeding practices adopted and the equipment typically found in animal facilities produce sounds at frequencies within the auditory range of the mice (1 to 100 kHz), which can cause hearing and other non-hearing effects. Another aspect that could potentially...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Trindade Madeira Araújo, F., de Cássia Espírito Santo, L., Peixoto Teixeira, A. C. et al. 2018. Low welfare impact of noise: Assessment in an experimental model of mice infected by Herpes simplex-1. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 207, 79-88.

Demographics regarding belief in non-human animal sentience and emotional empathy with animals: A pilot study among attendees of an animal welfare symposium

Attitudes to animals are linked to beliefs about their ability to experience pain and suffering, their cognition, and their sentience. Education and awareness-raising play a pivotal role in increasing society's consideration of non-human animal welfare. The current pilot study explores...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Cornish, A., Wilson, B., Raubenheimer, D. et al. 2018. Demographics regarding belief in non-human animal sentience and emotional empathy with animals: A pilot study among attendees of an animal welfare symposium. Animals 8(10), 174.

Using radio-frequency identification technology to measure synchronised ranging of free-range laying hens

Free-range laying hen systems provide individuals a choice between indoor and outdoor areas where range use may be socially influenced. This study used radio-frequency identification technology to track the ranging of individually-tagged hens housed in six experimental free-range pens from...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Campbell, D. L. M., Horton, B. J., Hinch, G. N. 2018. Using radio-frequency identification technology to measure synchronised ranging of free-range laying hens. Animals 8(11), 210.

Long term benefits on social behaviour after early life socialization of piglets

Early life socialization of piglets has been shown to reduce piglet aggression at weaning, but information on sow health and long-term benefits is lacking. We aimed to assess how socialization impacts sow udder quality and long-term pig behaviour and growth....

Year Published: 2018Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Camerlink, I., Farish, M., D'Eath, R. B. et al. 2018. Long term benefits on social behaviour after early life socialization of piglets. Animals 8(11), 192.

A review of welfare assessment methods in reptiles, and preliminary application of the Welfare Quality® protocol to the pygmy blue-tongue skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis, using animal-based measures

Reptiles are held at wildlife parks and zoos for display and conservation breeding programs and are increasingly being kept as pets. Reliable indicators of welfare for reptiles need to be identified. Current guidelines for the captive management of reptiles utilize...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Benn, A. L., McLelland, D. J., Whittaker, A. L. 2019. A review of welfare assessment methods in reptiles, and preliminary application of the Welfare Quality® protocol to the pygmy blue-tongue skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis, using animal-based measures. Animals 9(1), 27.

Provision point-source materials stimulates play in sows but does not affect aggression at regrouping

When sows are mixed into groups, hierarchies form and resulting aggression and stress can affect production and welfare. This study determined the effect of providing point-source materials on aggressive and play behaviors in gestating sows. Large white cross Landrace sows...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Greenwood, E. C., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Rayner, J. et al. 2019. Provision point-source materials stimulates play in sows but does not affect aggression at regrouping. Animals 9(1), 8.