Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Edible environmental enrichments in littered housing systems: Do their effects on integument condition differ between commercial laying hen strains?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of additional enrichment materials (EMs; pecking stones and alfalfa bales) on the occurrence of plumage damage, skin injuries, and toe injuries, with an emphasis on the possible differences between commercial...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Schreiter, R., Damme, K., Freick, M. 2020. Edible environmental enrichments in littered housing systems: Do their effects on integument condition differ between commercial laying hen strains? Animals 10(12), 2434.

Normal and abnormal parrot behavior

Behavior and behavior-associated issues are an important part of psittacine medicine. However, many veterinarians have an approach to parrots from the basics of handling and restraint to their assessment of behavioral issues (e.g., feather plucking), that fails to take into...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Speer, B. 2014. Normal and abnormal parrot behavior. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23(3), 230-233.

Potential role for selenium in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses

Crib-biting is a repetitive and compulsive behavior that is characterized by “grasping a fixed object with incisor teeth and aspirating air with an audible grunt.” Little is known about etiology and pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses. Previously, we have...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Omidi, A., Jafari, R., Nazifi, S. et al. 2018. Potential role for selenium in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 23, 10-14.

Nutrient intake, feeding patterns, and abnormal behavior of growing bulls fed different concentrate levels and a single fiber source (corn stover silage)

Twenty-eight bulls weighing 227 ± 6.8 (SD) kg were randomly assigned to four concentrate levels (1-1.5 kg [low level of concentrate {LC}], 1.5-2 kg [medium level of concentrate], 2-2.5 kg [high level of concentrate {HC}], and 2.5-3 kg [highest level...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: ur Rahman, M. A., Xia, C., Ji, L. et al. 2019. Nutrient intake, feeding patterns, and abnormal behavior of growing bulls fed different concentrate levels and a single fiber source (corn stover silage). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 33, 46-53.

The gray matter: Prevention and reduction of abnormal behavior in companion gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

Gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are popular companion birds, particularly noted for their ability to mimic human speech, their intelligence, and longevity. They are also prone to developing abnormal behaviors such as feather damaging behavior. This review explores the current available...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Greenwell, P. J., Montrose, V. T. 2017. The gray matter: Prevention and reduction of abnormal behavior in companion gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 20, 44-51.

Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse

Stereotypic behaviors are commonly observed in domestic equids as they are in a range of captive nondomesticated species. Estimates suggest that 19.5%-32.5% of horses perform a stereotypy. The presence of these behaviors is thought to indicate suboptimal welfare status and...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Roberts, K., Hemmings, A. J., McBride, S. D. et al. 2017. Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 20, 37-43.

Stereotypic behavior is not limited to terrestrial taxa: A response to Rose et al

This comment is in response to a recent review of stereotypical behavior in captive exotic animals (Rose et al., 2017). Negative stereotypical behavior occurs across most if not all taxa, including notable aquatic invertebrates. A useful discussion of animal suffering...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Cephalopod, Crustacean, Insect & Spider, Invertebrate, Other Invertebrate

Citation: Cooke, G. M. 2017. Stereotypic behavior is not limited to terrestrial taxa: A response to Rose et al. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 22, 17-18.

Abnormal behavior and the self-regulation of motivational state

Although most abnormal behaviors, including all stereotypies, indicate poor welfare, some that occur in rare situations are functional and do not indicate a negative situation. There is a wide range of abnormal behaviors that occur in conditions where the animal's...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Broom, D. M. 2019. Abnormal behavior and the self-regulation of motivational state. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 29, 1-3.

Fur chewing and other abnormal repetitive behaviors in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), under commercial fur-farming conditions

Fur chewing is a behavioral disorder frequently reported in chinchillas kept for fur-farming purposes. Rodents kept in barren cages usually develop some form of abnormal repetitive behavior, which can indicate a past or present welfare problem. Fur chewing may not...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Rodent

Citation: Franchi, V., Aleuy, O. A., Tadich, T. A. 2016. Fur chewing and other abnormal repetitive behaviors in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), under commercial fur-farming conditions. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 11, 60-64.

Survey of behavioral indices of welfare in research chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the United States

Chimpanzees demand specialized housing and care and the highest degree of attention to animal welfare. The current project used a survey method to collate information on chimpanzee housing and behavioral indices of welfare across all 6 of the chimpanzee research...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bloomsmith, M. A., Clay, A. W., Lambeth, S. P. et al. 2019. Survey of behavioral indices of welfare in research chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the United States. JAALAS 58(2), 160-177.