Environmental Enrichment

Can you dig it? The impact of a movable substrate “dig pit” on naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) behavior and welfare

Zoos are often limited by exhibit design in the opportunities they can provide animals to express natural behaviors; however, the opportunity to perform certain natural behaviors is key to supporting good animal welfare. Traditionally, in zoos, naked mole rats (Heterocephalus...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Wierzal, N. K., Keeley, L., Fidino, M. et al. 2024. Can you dig it? The impact of a movable substrate “dig pit” on naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) behavior and welfare. Zoo Biology 43(5), 470–480.

Cage-induced stereotypies in female ICR CD-1 mice do not correlate with recurrent perseveration

Stereotypies are repetitive, unvarying, apparently purposeless behavioural patterns. They develop in animals kept in barren environments and are highly prevalent in laboratory mice (Mus musculus), yet their underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. In humans, stereotypies are associated with several psychiatric...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gross, A. N., Engel, A. K. J., Richter, S. H. et al. 2011. Cage-induced stereotypies in female ICR CD-1 mice do not correlate with recurrent perseveration. Behavioural Brain Research 216(2), 613-620.

Effects of temporary access to environmental enrichment on measures of laboratory mouse welfare

Laboratory mice are typically housed in “shoebox” cages with limited opportunities to engage in natural behaviour. Temporary access to environments with increased space and complexity (playpens) may improve mouse welfare. Previous work by our group has shown that mice are...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ratuski, A. S., Améndola, L., Makowska, I. J. et al. 2024. Effects of temporary access to environmental enrichment on measures of laboratory mouse welfare. Scientific Reports 14(1), 15143.

Rearing pigs with play opportunities: The effects on disease resilience in pigs experimentally inoculated with PRRSV

Positive emotions can reduce disease susceptibility during infectious challenges in humans, and emerging evidence suggests similar effects in farm animals. Because play behaviour may support a positive emotional state in pigs, this study investigates whether rearing pigs with regular intermittent...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Steinerová, K., Harding, J. C., Parker, S. E. et al. 2024. Rearing pigs with play opportunities: The effects on disease resilience in pigs experimentally inoculated with PRRSV. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

A simple and low-cost environmental enrichment program improves the welfare of Calomys callosus, a species that adapts to animal facilities

An environmental enrichment protocol is essential for testing experimental models because it upholds animal welfare, aligns with ethical principles in animal experimentation, and reduces the number of animals needed. Calomys callosus, a South American rodent from the Cricetidae family, is...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Klein, S. G., de Assis, T. S., Pereira, G. S. et al. 2024. A simple and low-cost environmental enrichment program improves the welfare of Calomys callosus, a species that adapts to animal facilities. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

Comparing the use of enrichment items by cattle in a high containment facility

Interacting with environmental enrichment can reduce morbidity, agression and stereotypic behaviours improving both animal welfare and scientific data output. High containment facilities are limited on space, do not have natural scenery, the cattle are kept together in small groups and...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Smith-Langridge, R. 2024, April. Comparing the use of enrichment items by cattle in a high containment facility. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(1), 41–43.

Exploring enrichment enjoyed by Zebrafish

Many studies highlighted that gravel is a preferred enrichment of zebrafish, therefore we were keen to explore this anecdotal evidence further, to ascertain if the spatial distribution of the zebrafish was significantly linked to the presence of physical enrichment within...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Waghorn, N. 2024, April. Exploring enrichment enjoyed by Zebrafish. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(1), 64–65.

Effects of a veterinary functional music-based enrichment program on the psychophysiological responses of farm pigs

Intensification of swine production can predispose pigs to chronic stress, with adverse effects on the neuroendocrine and immune systems that can lead to health problems, poor welfare, and reduced production performance. Consequently, there is an interest in developing tools to...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Zapata Cardona, J., Duque Arias, S., David Jaramillo, E. et al. 2024. Effects of a veterinary functional music-based enrichment program on the psychophysiological responses of farm pigs. Scientific Reports 14(1), 18660.

Making the most of life: Environmental choice during rearing enhances the ability of laying hens to take opportunities

The potential of aviary housing for improving laying hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) welfare will be constrained if rearing conditions limit the hens' behavioral ability to take opportunities. Incorporating theories on developmental plasticity and animal agency, this study aimed to determine:...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Skånberg, L., Holt, R. V., Newberry, R. C. et al. 2024. Making the most of life: Environmental choice during rearing enhances the ability of laying hens to take opportunities. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

The effect of a hiding space on the behaviour and heart rate variability of dairy calves during temporary separation from the dam

In natural settings, newborn calves hide for several days before joining the herd. It is unclear whether dairy calves housed indoors would show similar hiding behaviour. This study aimed to describe the use of an artificial hide provided to calves...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Spitzer, H. B., Meagher, R. K., O'Sullivan, M. L. et al. 2024. The effect of a hiding space on the behaviour and heart rate variability of dairy calves during temporary separation from the dam. Animal Welfare 33, e2.