Environmental Enrichment

Behavioural response to the environmental changes of various types in Lister-Hooded male rats

The animal preference for complexity is most clearly demonstrated when the environmental change takes the form of an increase in complexity. Therefore, one of the potential difficulties in interpretation is that the preference for perceptual novelty may be confounded with...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Pisula, W., Modlinska, K., Chrzanowska, A. 2019. Behavioural response to the environmental changes of various types in Lister-Hooded male rats. Scientific Reports 9, 7111.

Using radio-frequency identification technology to measure synchronised ranging of free-range laying hens

Free-range laying hen systems provide individuals a choice between indoor and outdoor areas where range use may be socially influenced. This study used radio-frequency identification technology to track the ranging of individually-tagged hens housed in six experimental free-range pens from...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Campbell, D. L. M., Horton, B. J., Hinch, G. N. 2018. Using radio-frequency identification technology to measure synchronised ranging of free-range laying hens. Animals 8(11), 210.

Provision point-source materials stimulates play in sows but does not affect aggression at regrouping

When sows are mixed into groups, hierarchies form and resulting aggression and stress can affect production and welfare. This study determined the effect of providing point-source materials on aggressive and play behaviors in gestating sows. Large white cross Landrace sows...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Greenwood, E. C., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Rayner, J. et al. 2019. Provision point-source materials stimulates play in sows but does not affect aggression at regrouping. Animals 9(1), 8.

Effect of different environment enrichments on behaviour and social interactions in growing pigs

Background: Pigs are active animals that require a suitable environment to be able to express their exploratory behaviour. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different environmental enrichments on the behaviour, social interactions, salivary cortisol...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Giuliotti, L., Benvenuti, M. N., Giannarelli, A. et al. 2019. Effect of different environment enrichments on behaviour and social interactions in growing pigs. Animals 9(3), 101.

Growing pigs’ interest in enrichment objects with different characteristics and cleanliness

Enrichment objects can be a practical way to provide rooting and chewing material to growing pigs, on which they can express species-specific behaviors. The challenge is to provide enrichment objects that will satisfy pigs' behavioral needs, while being practical and...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Beaudoin, J.-M., Bergeron, R., Devillers, N. et al. 2019. Growing pigs' interest in enrichment objects with different characteristics and cleanliness. Animals 9(3), 85.

The efficacy of novel rope flavours as environmental enrichment for stalled gilts

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of flavoured ropes as environmental enrichment for individually housed pigs (Sus scrofa). A 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design was utilised to evaluate the effects of four rope flavour...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Colpoys, J. D., Johnson, A. K., Gabler, N. K. 2018. The efficacy of novel rope flavours as environmental enrichment for stalled gilts. Animal Welfare 27(4), 351-356.

Standardized environmental enrichment supports enhanced brain plasticity in healthy rats and prevents cognitive impairment in epileptic rats

Environmental enrichment of laboratory animals influences brain plasticity, stimulates neurogenesis, increases neurotrophic factor expression, and protects against the effects of brain insult. However, these positive effects are not constantly observed, probably because standardized procedures of environmental enrichment are lacking. Therefore,...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Fares, R. P., Belmeguenai, A., Sanchez, P.E. et al. 2013. Standardized environmental enrichment supports enhanced brain plasticity in healthy rats and prevents cognitive impairment in epileptic rats. PLOS ONE 8(1): e53888.

Larger cages with housing unit environment enrichment improve the welfare of marmosets

The provision of adequate space for laboratory animals is essential not only for good welfare but accurate studies. For example, housing conditions for primates used in biomedical research may negatively affect welfare and thus the reliability of findings. In common...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Yoshimoto, T., Takahashi, E., Yamashita, S. et al. 2018. Larger cages with housing unit environment enrichment improve the welfare of marmosets. Experimental Animals 67(1), 31-39.

An assessment of porches as enrichment for singly housed cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Effective environmental enrichment encourages usage, promotes species‐typical behaviors, and/or decreases abnormal behaviors. Porches are small cages that attach to the primary cage of an animal to provide additional space and a better view of the surroundings. This study aimed to...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Brown, T. A., Lutz, C. K., 2018. An assessment of porches as enrichment for singly housed cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). American Journal of Primatology 80(S1), 18 (40th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #21).

Increasing captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) engagement with multi-step cognitive enrichment

Environmental enrichment enhances the psychological well‐being of animals and is therefore a vital part of the husbandry of captive animals. Since chimpanzees are a cognitively complex species, they may especially benefit from enrichment programs that focus on cognitive engagement. We...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Cornelius, N., Enstam‐Jaffe, K. Minier, D. et al., 2018. Increasing captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) engagement with multi-step cognitive enrichment. American Journal of Primatology 80(S1), 19 (40th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #23).