Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Effects of pregnancy, outdoor access, and antifungal medication on hair loss in breeding-age female pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

Over 18 mo, adult female pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) housed at a breeding facility in Arizona were monitored every 6 mo for alopecia. The study period coincided with the movement of a majority of animals from primarily outdoor housing to...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, HousingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Kroeker, R., Chichester, L., Lee, G. H. et al. 2019. Effects of pregnancy, outdoor access, and antifungal medication on hair loss in breeding-age female pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Comparative Medicine 69(3), 221–227.

Sources of maladaptive behavior in ‘normal’ organisms

A basic assumption of most researchers is that behavior is generally functional, and indeed, in most instances the function is obvious. But in a number of cases, some behaviors of neurophysiologically ‘normal' organisms appear to be maladaptive. Considerable research has...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Miller, R. R., Polack, C. W. 2018. Sources of maladaptive behavior in ‘normal' organisms. Behavioural Processes 154, 4-12.

Stall architecture influences horses’ behaviour and the prevalence and type of stereotypies

Despite the spatial and social restrictions it causes, single stall housing still prevails in sport and riding school horses, leading to the emergence of abnormal behaviours such as stereotypic or abnormal repetitive behaviours (SB/ARB). In the present study, we investigated...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, HousingAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Lesimple, C., Gautier, E., Benhajali, H. et al. 2019. Stall architecture influences horses' behaviour and the prevalence and type of stereotypies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 219, 104833.

Exploration of potential triggers for self-directed behaviours and regurgitation and reingestion in zoo-housed chimpanzees

The unique challenges faced by animals living in zoos can lead to the production of anxiety-related behaviours. In this study we aimed to understand what specific factors may cause chimpanzees to display these behaviours. In non-human primates, displacement behaviours, such...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Wallace, E. K., Herrelko, E. S., Koski, S. E. et al. 2019. Exploration of potential triggers for self-directed behaviours and regurgitation and reingestion in zoo-housed chimpanzees. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 221, 104878.

Prevalence and severity of tail lesions as a possible welfare indicator for rabbit does

The impact of behavioural disorders on animal welfare in modern animal husbandry has been much debated. While other abnormal behaviours have been explored at length, there are a paucity of studies on tail-biting in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In the present...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Bill, J., Rauterberg, S. L., Stracke, J. et al. 2019. Prevalence and severity of tail lesions as a possible welfare indicator for rabbit does. Animal Welfare 28(4), 511-518.

Behavioural syndromes in stereotypic striped mice

Stereotypical behaviours (SBs) are abnormal, repetitive behaviours often observed in captivity. SBs are linked to impoverished captive conditions, and stereotypic individuals show a particular set of behaviours (e.g. bolder personality, greater activity) indicating proactive coping. Yet, we do not know...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Silber, S., Joshi, S., Pillay, N. 2019. Behavioural syndromes in stereotypic striped mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 212, 74-81.

Rearing undocked pigs on fully slatted floors using multiple types and variations of enrichment

In fully slatted systems, tail biting is difficult to manage when pigs' tails are not docked because loose enrichment material can obstruct slurry systems. This pilot study sought to determine: a) whether intact-tailed pigs can be reared with a manageable...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Chou, J.-Y., Drique, C. M. V., Sandercock, D. A. et al. 2019. Rearing undocked pigs on fully slatted floors using multiple types and variations of enrichment. Animals 9(4), 139.

An investigation of associations between management and feather damage in Canadian laying hens housed in furnished cages

Feather pecking is a continuous welfare challenge in the housing of egg-laying hens. Canada is currently making the transition from conventional cages to alternative housing systems. However, feather damage (FD) among laying hens due to feather pecking remains a welfare...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Decina, C., Berke, O., van Staaveren, N. et al. 2019. An investigation of associations between management and feather damage in Canadian laying hens housed in furnished cages. Animals 9(4), 135.

Do social factors related to allostatic load affect stereotypy susceptibility? Management implications for captive social animals

Stereotypies are frequently associated with sub-optimal captive environments and are used as welfare indicators. However, susceptibility to stereotypy can vary across individuals of the same group. As such, identifying which individuals are more susceptible to this behaviour may be helpful...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Natural Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Capuchin, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Nagy-Reis, M. B., Mendonça-Furtado, O., Resende, B. 2019. Do social factors related to allostatic load affect stereotypy susceptibility? Management implications for captive social animals. Animal Welfare 28(2), 183-190.

Does cribbing behavior in horses vary with dietary taste or direct gastric stimuli?

Concentrated feed diets have been shown to drastically increase the rate of the cribbing, an oral stereotypy in horses, but the specific component causing the rise has not been identified. Furthermore, the mechanism through which feed affects cribbing has not...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Albright, J., Sun, X., Houpt, K. 2017. Does cribbing behavior in horses vary with dietary taste or direct gastric stimuli? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 189, 36-40.