The relationship between husbandry, behavioural monitoring and disease prevention: examples from a colony of marmosets (1994)

Sainsbury, A. W.

Abstract

There are a number of methods .. to prevent suffering if rejection occurs. .. Aggression between a pair has, in some cases developed after a prolonged period of stability whereas in others pairs have fought soon after introduction. Increasing cage size - for example, by the use of an exercise cage - has been found useful to reduce conflict, and some pairs may subsequently settle. However, 15.1% of male/female pairings in this colony have required separation as a result of conflict (n=136 pairings). .. Of 186 adult animals .. 6.9% had required treatment or changes in husbandry for stereotypical behaviour [circling] over a 4-year period. This behaviour appears to have been more common when marmosets were temporarily housed singly, for example due to the loss of a partner. .. We have found that changes in the arrangement of marmoset cages in a room .. has resulted in the reduction of both stereotypic and aggressive behaviour.