Environmental Enrichment

The effect of auditory enrichment, rearing method and social environment on the behavior of zoo-housed psittacines (Aves: Psittaciformes); implications for welfare

The psychological and physiological effects of different genres of music are well documented in humans. These concepts have also been studied in kenneled dogs and some exotic animals, implying that animals may experience benefits similar to those of humans. This...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Williams, I., Hoppitt, W., Grant, R. 2017. The effect of auditory enrichment, rearing method and social environment on the behavior of zoo-housed psittacines (Aves: Psittaciformes); implications for welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 186, 85-92.

Housing conditions do not alter cognitive bias but affect serum cortisol, qualitative behaviour assessment and wounds on the carcass in pigs

Measures of animal emotions are essential to assess animal welfare. Recently, the cognitive bias technique has been proposed as a measure of animal affective state. This technique is based on the premise that subjects in negative affective states make more...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Carreras, R., Mainau, E., Arroyo, L. et al. 2016. Housing conditions do not alter cognitive bias but affect serum cortisol, qualitative behaviour assessment and wounds on the carcass in pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 185, 39-44.

Using automated image analysis in pig behavioural research: Assessment of the influence of enrichment substrate provision on lying behaviour

Visual monitoring of pig behaviours over long periods is very time consuming and has possibility for observer bias. Automated image processing techniques now give the potential to carry out behavioural research in a more effective way. To illustrate this, an...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Nasirahmadi, A., Edwards, S. A., Matheson, S. M. et al. 2017. Using automated image analysis in pig behavioural research: Assessment of the influence of enrichment substrate provision on lying behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 196, 30-35.

Influence of enrichment material and herbal compounds in the behaviour and performance of growing pigs

Pigs reared in barren conditions are exposed to many different stressors, compromising their welfare and producing physiological and behavioural changes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of environmental enrichment (EE) consisting of natural hemp ropes, sawdust,...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Casal-Plana, N., Manteca, X., Dalmau, A. et al. 2017. Influence of enrichment material and herbal compounds in the behaviour and performance of growing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 195, 38-43.

Effects of environmental enrichment on decision-making behavior in pigs

The animal's emotional state, potentially modulated by environmental conditions, may affect cognitive processes such as interpretation, judgement and decision making behaviour. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is a common method to examine decision making behavior in humans in terms of...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: van der Staay, F. J., van Zutphen, J. A., de Ridder, M. M. et al. 2017. Effects of environmental enrichment on decision-making behavior in pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 194, 14-23.

Evaluating environmental enrichment as a method to alleviate pain after castration and tail docking in pigs

Castration and tail docking are common management practices performed on commercial swine farms in the US and around the world to reduce adverse behaviors and the occurrence of boar taint. However, these practices themselves are a welfare concern for the...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Analgesia, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Backus, B. L., McGlone, J. J. 2018. Evaluating environmental enrichment as a method to alleviate pain after castration and tail docking in pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 204, 37-42.

An explorative study on the effect of provision of preferred and non-preferred enrichment on behavioural and physiological parameters in laboratory ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Environmental enrichment is often advocated to refine animal studies. Despite the increasing use of ferrets as an animal model in biomedical research, the knowledge on effects of the provision of enrichment on these animals is limited. Additionally, it is unknown...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Ferret

Citation: Reijgwart, M. L., Vinke, C. M., Hendriksen, C. F. M. et al. 2018. An explorative study on the effect of provision of preferred and non-preferred enrichment on behavioural and physiological parameters in laboratory ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 203, 64-72.

Free-choice exploration increases affiliative behaviour in zebrafish

Cognitive stimulation has been shown to be rewarding and capable of eliciting positive emotions in several species. In contrast to the abundant learning and exploration opportunities available in nature, captive environments can be under-stimulating—with the potential to induce anhedonia and...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Graham, C., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., Franks, B. 2018. Free-choice exploration increases affiliative behaviour in zebrafish. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 203, 103-110.

Pre-weaning environmental enrichment increases piglets’ object play behaviour on a large scale commercial pig farm

Environmental enrichment is a legal requirement for European pig farms. The suitability of enrichment materials for neonatal pigs is understudied and has not been tested in commercial settings. This study investigates the effect of hanging objects and substrate as two...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Yang, C.-H., Ko, H.-L., Salazar, L. C. et al. 2018. Pre-weaning environmental enrichment increases piglets' object play behaviour on a large scale commercial pig farm. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 202, 7-12.

The behavioural effects of olfactory stimulation on dogs at a rescue shelter

Many domestic dogs are kept in rescue and rehoming shelters which are frequently stressful and under-stimulating environments. Dog welfare is often compromised within these environments and there is a need to determine new practical and effective methods of improving the...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Binks, J., Taylor, S., Wills, A. et al. 2018. The behavioural effects of olfactory stimulation on dogs at a rescue shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 202, 69-76.