Environmental Enrichment

Fresh wood reduces tail and ear biting and increases exploratory behaviour in finishing pigs

Chewing and rooting are high behavioural priorities in pigs. Lack of suitable materials can lead to abnormal behaviours such as tail and ear biting. In commercial farming, slatted floors limit the use of straw, and various point-source objects have therefore...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Telkanranta, H., Bracke, M. B. M., Valros, A. 2014. Fresh wood reduces tail and ear biting and increases exploratory behaviour in finishing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 161, 51-59.

What do zebrafish want? Impact of social grouping, dominance and gender on preference for enrichment

Although environmental enrichment is known to improve laboratory rodent wellbeing and enhance scientific data collection, relatively little is known with regards to the type of enrichment that might be useful for zebrafish (Danio rerio). Therefore, this study explored if zebrafish...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Schroeder, P., Jones, S., Young, I. S. et al. 2014. What do zebrafish want? Impact of social grouping, dominance and gender on preference for enrichment. Laboratory Animals 48(4), 328-337.

Useful rodent enrichment: Party in a bag

Based on standard practice, all laboratory animals should be given enrichment for physical and mental wellbeing. However, depending on the type of enrichment, it can become costly or impede with accurate health observations. We assessed different types of enrichment to...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Schroen, A., Dunbar, M., Hughes, L. J. 2014. Useful rodent enrichment: Party in a bag. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 575-576. (Abstract #P102).

Effect of hiding places, straw and territory on aggression in group-housed rabbit does

Group-housing of rabbit does may be preferred from welfare point of view. However, group-housing causes agonistic behaviour which may cause severe injuries. Severe injuries may be prevented by offering hiding places for attacked does. Providing enrichment (straw) may reduce agonistic...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Rommers, J. M., Reuvekamp, B. J. F., Gunnink, H. et al. 2014. Effect of hiding places, straw and territory on aggression in group-housed rabbit does. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 157, 117-126.

Toys and technicians: 2 keys to a successful enrichment program for singly housed felines

Social or group housing is well known as the ideal environment for maintaining cats in a research setting as it allows specific behaviors such as play, grooming, and climbing. When social housing is not possible, enrichment items and personnel interactions...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Nowlan, S. Y., Burlingame, L. A., Na, J. et al. 2014. Toys and technicians: 2 keys to a successful enrichment program for singly housed felines. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 583. (Abstract #P132).

Effects of space allowance on the behaviour of long-term housed shelter dogs

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of space allowance (4.5 m(2)/head vs. 9 m(2)/head) on the behaviour of shelter dogs (Canis familiaris) at different times of the day (from 10:30 to 13:30 vs. from 14:30 to...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Normando, S., Contiero, B., Marchesini, G. et al. 2014. Effects of space allowance on the behaviour of long-term housed shelter dogs. Behavioural Processes 103, 306-314.

Sand pools as a novel enrichment for rabbits

For anyone who has housed rabbits in an artificial plastic environment, what to provide as a nonfood enrichment can be an issue. Nonfood enrichment, or environmental enrichment, can be any toy, engaging sights or sounds, or procedures that productively stimulate...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Nicholson, G., Sheldon, E. L., Hamilton, J. et al. 2014. Sand pools as a novel enrichment for rabbits. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 571. (Abstract #P83).

NHP wire biscuit feeder

This apparatus is used for single-housed baboons of all ages. The device is a wire suet feeder used for birds and squirrels. It can be purchased from Walmart, Home Depot, etc. There are many sizes and shapes, and the cost...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Stevens, T. 2014. NHP wire biscuit feeder. Enrichment Record Dec 2, 2014 (online publication).

Peanut butter/banana feeder

This device takes only a few minutes to make. 1. Start with a short piece of PVC pipe. 2. Drill a hole through both sides of the top and bottom. 3. Insert a stainless bolt with lock nut through top...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Schultz, P. 2014. Peanut butter/banana feeder. Enrichment Record Oct 16, 2014 (online publication).

Current understanding and use of environmental enrichment in China

In practice, consideration is given to providing most of the species used in research,testing and education withsome level of environmental enrichment. However, although the current level of awareness and understanding about the benefits of environmental enrichment appears similar across different...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Dog, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Qi, K., De-mi, S., Chuan, Q. 2014. Current understanding and use of environmental enrichment in China. Enrichment Record 20, 8-11.