Environmental Enrichment

Relative preference for different pecking blocks offered as pairwise comparisons in White and Brown-feathered laying hens

Different commercially available pecking blocks (PBs) have varying nutrient composition, appearance, and texture. However, the relative preferences of laying hens for different PBs are unknown. We housed 120 Dekalb White and 120 Bovans Brown in twelve (360 cm x 116 cm x...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Ehigbor, T. F., Kiarie, E. G., Harlander, A. et al. 2025. Relative preference for different pecking blocks offered as pairwise comparisons in White and Brown-feathered laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 290, 106708.

Behavior and safety in the use of canopy bridges by howler monkeys in an experimental environment

Urban sprawl advances over forested areas and threatens arboreal species, which often use roads, power lines, and rooftops to move, resulting in roadkill, electrocution, and dog attacks. One measure to mitigate these risks is the installation of canopy bridges, which...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Dias, P., Teixeira, F. Z., Ferrugem, V. H. C. et al. 2025. Behavior and safety in the use of canopy bridges by howler monkeys in an experimental environment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 290, 106696.

How does the previous environment affect pigs’ responses when switching to a barren or enriched environment as assessed by Qualitative Behaviour Assessment?

Intensive pig farming systems are often characterised by barren and monotonous environments, which can impair pig welfare. While enriching the environment enhances pig welfare, less is known about the implications of changes in housing conditions regularly happening on commercial farms....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: De Angelis, F., Ferroni, G., Winckler, C. et al. 2025. How does the previous environment affect pigs’ responses when switching to a barren or enriched environment as assessed by Qualitative Behaviour Assessment? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106756.

Does environmental enrichment impact the behaviour and welfare of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)?

Environmental enrichment has been shown to be an effective way to improve the welfare of captive animals. Although many studies have investigated the effects of enrichment on mammalian and avian species, there is comparatively little known about this in reptiles....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Crisante, A., Wilkinson, A., Pike, T. W. et al. 2025. Does environmental enrichment impact the behaviour and welfare of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106751.

Influence of multiple factors on rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) use of a feeding enrichment device

We studied the effect of different filler items on rhesus macaques’ use of a feeding enrichment device called the ‘browsing bowl.’ We examined use of the device as affected by calories, sugar content, and volume of different fillers as well...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Cowan-Brown, J. M., Clay, A. W., Perlman, J. et al. 2025. Influence of multiple factors on rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) use of a feeding enrichment device. JAALAS 64(4), 674–681.

Environmental enrichment with aquatic plants: Impact of the environment of choice on performance of bettas

This study aimed to evaluate the choice between environments with aquatic plants and the impact of the environment of choice on the performance of bettas (Betta splendens). First, the choice between environments with natural and artificial plants was evaluated. Adult...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Bender, M., Oliveira dos Santos Neves, N., Regina Delziovo, F. et al. 2025. Environmental enrichment with aquatic plants: Impact of the environment of choice on performance of bettas. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 28(4), 740–749.

The effects of music designed for canine and human relaxation on short-term stress in dogs

Auditory stimuli such as music can be an inexpensive and accessible option to help relieve stress for pet dogs. In some studies, classical music has been shown to have a stress-relieving effect on dogs experiencing a long-term stressor. However, the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Beecy, S. J., Dowling-Guyer, S., Patel, A. D. et al. 2025. The effects of music designed for canine and human relaxation on short-term stress in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106766.

Quantifying use of elevated surfaces for climbing Sichuan takins (Budorcas taxicolor) in human care

Sichuan takins (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) are capable climbers whose movements in the wild appear to be driven by seasonal variations in resources. Ex situ habitats for takins frequently incorporate elevated features to encourage species-appropriate climbing. We opportunistically observed three takins...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Baskir, E., Callagy, C., Poelker, C. et al. 2025. Quantifying use of elevated surfaces for climbing Sichuan takins (Budorcas taxicolor) in human care. Zoo Biology 44(4), 377–382.

Gestational enrichment of commercial breeding dams (Canis familiaris) influences offspring behaviour

The benefits of environmental enrichment for kennelled dog welfare have been widely demonstrated. Research in rodents shows that provision of maternal environmental enrichment during gestation can also influence the behavioural development of the offspring. However, the effects of prenatal enrichment...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Baqueiro-Espinosa, U., McEvoy, V., Donnelly, P. et al. 2025. Gestational enrichment of commercial breeding dams (Canis familiaris) influences offspring behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106779.

Effects of two types of environmental enrichment on the behavior of dogs in shelters

The domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, is commonly kept in shelters. In these locations, features such as confinement, forced intraspecific and interspecific contact, and lack of environmental stimulation can diminish the welfare of dogs. One way to avoid poor welfare...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Antonino, G. V., Lovestain, D. D. C., Burle, M. M. de C. et al. 2025. Effects of two types of environmental enrichment on the behavior of dogs in shelters. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 80, 28–38.