Environmental Enrichment

Housing conditions affect adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior but not their physiological status

Zebrafish is a valuable model for neuroscience research, but the housing conditions to which it is exposed daily may be impairing its welfare status. The use of environmental enrichment and the refinement of methodology for cortisol measurement could reduce stress,...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Jorge, S., Félix, L., Costas, B. et al. 2023. Housing conditions affect adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior but not their physiological status. Animals 13(6), 1120.

The effects of age, size, and cage complexity on the behaviour of farmed female chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

Even though chinchillas have been farmed for a century, there are not many studies concerning their behaviour in captivity or their optimal housing conditions, both of which are important factors in the assessment of their welfare. This study aimed to...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Rodent

Citation: Łapiński, S., Niedbała, P., Markowska, K. et al. 2023. The effects of age, size, and cage complexity on the behaviour of farmed female chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). Scientific Reports 13(1), 6108.

Assessment of stress caused by environmental changes for improving the welfare of laboratory beagle dogs

Animal stress is influenced by environmental factors, yet only a few studies have evaluated the effects of environmental stress on captive dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental and social enrichment on the stress levels of captive...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Lee, G.-H., Jo, W., Kang, T.-K. et al. 2023. Assessment of stress caused by environmental changes for improving the welfare of laboratory beagle dogs. Animals 13(6), 1095.

Stress evaluation of mouse husbandry environments for improving laboratory animal welfare

Animal welfare is recognized as essential for the coexistence of humans and animals. Considering the increased demand and interest in animal welfare, many methods for improving animal welfare are being devised, but which method reduces animal stress has not been...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Lee, G.-H., Kim, K., Jo, W. 2023. Stress evaluation of mouse husbandry environments for improving laboratory animal welfare. Animals 13(2), 249.

Sensory enrichment for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are New World primates that are found within the coastal rainforests of North East (NE) Brazil. They are a multisensory species, relying on all their senses to survive. It is the duty of all animal carers...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Fuller, M. 2023. Sensory enrichment for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Animal Technology and Welfare 22(1), 44–46.

Beef cattle preference and usage of environmental enrichments provided simultaneously in a pasture-based environment

Environmental enrichment can improve livestock welfare through increasing environmental complexity to promote a greater range of natural behaviours. However, there is limited understanding of the need for and impacts of enrichments for extensively managed beef cattle that can sometimes be...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Dickson, E. J., Campbell, D. L. M., Lee, C. et al. 2022. Beef cattle preference and usage of environmental enrichments provided simultaneously in a pasture-based environment. Animals 12(24), 3544.

Comparing different environmental enrichments for improving the welfare and walking ability of male turkeys

This study investigated age-related changes in turkey welfare measures (wounds, feather quality (FQ), feather cleanliness, and footpad condition (FCON)) and walking ability (gait) as influenced by different types of environmental enrichment (EE). Tom turkeys (n = 420) were randomly assigned...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Dong, Y., Fraley, G. S., Siegford, J. M. et al. 2023. Comparing different environmental enrichments for improving the welfare and walking ability of male turkeys. PLOS ONE 18(5), e0285347.

Environmental complexity and reduced stocking density promote positive behavioral outcomes in broiler chickens

The objective was to evaluate the impacts of a complex environment and stocking density on Ross 708 broiler chicken behaviors. Eight pens contained either high complexity (HC) or low complexity (LC) environments, and high (HD) or low (LD) density. Through...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Evans, L., Brooks, G. C., Anderson, M. G. et al. 2023. Environmental complexity and reduced stocking density promote positive behavioral outcomes in broiler chickens. Animals 13(13), 2074.

The effect of placement and group size on the use of an automated brush by groups of lactating dairy cattle

Mechanical brushes are often provided on dairy farms to facilitate grooming. However, current brush designs do not provide data on their use, and thus little is known about the effects of group size and placement of brushes within the pen....

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Foris, B., Sadrzadeh, N., Krahn, J. et al. 2023. The effect of placement and group size on the use of an automated brush by groups of lactating dairy cattle. Animals 13(4), 760.

Curiosity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)? Behavioral responses to 30 novel objects

Curiosity—the motivation to seek out information—has been studied widely across the animal kingdom. To investigate curiosity in zebrafish we presented 30 novel objects to groups of zebrafish housed in semi-naturalistic tanks (6 tanks; 10 fish/tank; 10-min presentations). During the first...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Franks, B., Gaffney, L. P., Graham, C. et al. 2023. Curiosity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)? Behavioral responses to 30 novel objects. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 1062420.