Environmental Enrichment

The effects of environmental enrichment and age-related differences on inhibitory avoidance in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The inhibitory avoidance paradigm allows the study of mechanisms underlying learning and memory formation in zebrafish (Danio rerio Hamilton). For zebrafish, the physiology and behavior associated with this paradigm are as yet poorly understood. We therefore assessed the effects of...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Manuel, R., Gorissen, M., Stokkermans, M. et al. 2015. The effects of environmental enrichment and age-related differences on inhibitory avoidance in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish 12(2), 152-165.

How much is enough? The amount of straw necessary to satisfy pigs’ need to perform exploratory behaviour

Since 10 years, EU-legislation states that "pigs must have permanent access to sufficient quantity of material to enable proper investigation and manipulation activities." While much research has focused on which materials enable proper investigation and manipulation activities, little has been...

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

Citation: Pedersen, L. J., Herskin, M.S., Forkman, B. et al. 2014. How much is enough? The amount of straw necessary to satisfy pigs' need to perform exploratory behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 160, 46-55.

Use of cuttlebones to reduce the incidence of feather pecking in chickens

Feather pecking is a maladaptive behavior where chickens (and other poultry species) peck the feathers of conspecifics and damage the plumage and frequently the skin. It is one of the most common behavioral problems in chickens today and can lead...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Adamson, T. W., Perez, M.C. 2014. Use of cuttlebones to reduce the incidence of feather pecking in chickens. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 540 (Abstract #PS56).

Enriched open field facilitates exercise and social interaction in 2 strains of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Current housing guidelines for laboratory rodents include recommendations for enrichment. Working with guinea pigs, we have developed an open-field enrichment paradigm that provides several aspects of this species' natural environment. These naturalistic aspects include access to increased space for exploration,...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Brewer, J. S., Bellinger, S. A., Prianca, J. et al. 2014. Enriched open field facilitates exercise and social interaction in 2 strains of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). JAALAS 53(4), 344-355.

The influence of neonatal environment on piglet play behaviour and post-weaning social and cognitive development

Research has shown that the domestic pig is highly playful throughout its development and that play is an important aspect of social and cognitive development. Therefore, the neonatal environment is fundamental to successful stimulation of play in neonatal pigs, which...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Martin, J. E., Ison, S. H., Baxter, E. M. 2015. The influence of neonatal environment on piglet play behaviour and post-weaning social and cognitive development. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 163, 69-79.

Plumage damage in free-range laying hens: Behavioural characteristics in the rearing period and the effects of environmental enrichment and beak-trimming

Severe feather-pecking, whereby birds peck at and pull out the feathers of other birds, is one of the greatest welfare concerns and the most prevalent behavioural problem in laying hens. It can be extremely difficult to control, especially in non-cage...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Hartcher, K. M., Tran, M. K. T. N., Wilkinson, S. J., et al. 2015. Plumage damage in free-range laying hens: Behavioural characteristics in the rearing period and the effects of environmental enrichment and beak-trimming. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 164, 64-72.

Effects of stocking density and environmental enrichment on behavior and fecal corticosteroid levels of pigs under commercial farm conditions

In intensive pig farming of Western and Southern Europe, welfare concerns are still often related to barren environments and crowded conditions. Pig producers need to balance the requirements to improve welfare conditions at farm with practical considerations. The aim of...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Cornale, P., Macchi, E., Miretti, S. et al. 2015. Effects of stocking density and environmental enrichment on behavior and fecal corticosteroid levels of pigs under commercial farm conditions. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 10(6), 569-576.

Why did the fish cross the tank? Objectively measuring the value of enrichment for captive fish

There has been very little research into the enrichment preferences of ornamental fish, even though there are billions of fish kept in captivity as pets and research animals. We used preference and motivational testing to compare the value of real...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Sullivan, M., Lawrence, C., Blache, D. 2016. Why did the fish cross the tank? Objectively measuring the value of enrichment for captive fish. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 174, 181-88.

Long-term provision of environmental resources alters behavior but not physiology or neuroanatomy of male and female BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice

Few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of providing environmental resources to mice. This consideration is important given that mice are often maintained in vivaria for months. We evaluated the effects of providing simple cage resources (wood wool, cotton nesting...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Clipperton-Allen, A. E., Ingrao, J. C., Ruggerio, L. et al. 2015. Long-term provision of environmental resources alters behavior but not physiology or neuroanatomy of male and female BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. JAALAS 54(6), 718-30.

Effect of enrichment devices on aggression in manipulated nude mice

Agonistic behavior in group-housed male mice is a recurring problem in many animal research facilities. Common management procedures, such as the removal of aggressors, are moderately successful but often fail, owing to recurrence of aggressive behavior among cagemates. Studies have...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Lockworth, C. R., Kim, S., Liu, J. et al. 2015. Effect of enrichment devices on aggression in manipulated nude mice. JAALAS 54(6), 731-736.