Housing

Pasture heterogeneity improves donkey welfare: Effects of structural variation, species diversity, and sward height on herd emotional states

Grazing environment plays a key role in the welfare of domestic herbivores. In the UK, donkeys are typically kept on species-poor, agriculturally improved grasslands that offer limited dietary and behavioural opportunities. Obesity, driven by low exercise levels and unsuitable diet,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Fitts, J., Kubasiewicz, L. M., Norris, S. L. et al. 2025. Pasture heterogeneity improves donkey welfare: Effects of structural variation, species diversity, and sward height on herd emotional states. Animals 15(23).

From ethogram to flow: Behavioral time budgets and transition networks in female harbor seals under human care

We quantified how exhibit design and routine management shape behavior and space use in captive harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Using a species-specific ethogram, scan sampling and focal follows on adult females housed in a modern zoo exhibit, we estimated time...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marine Mammal

Citation: Briguori, M., Carlino, P., Carpino, C. et al. 2025. From ethogram to flow: Behavioral time budgets and transition networks in female harbor seals under human care. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6(4).

Outdoor rearing and behavioural patterns in diverse rabbit breeds: An exploratory study

EU regulations on organic rabbit farming are relatively recent, and scientific evidence on key technical aspects remains limited. Outdoor systems may improve health and welfare by allowing natural behaviours, but their effectiveness depends on management practices, environmental conditions, and breed....

Year Published: 2025Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Bosa, L., Bernabucci, G., Federico, F. D. et al. 2025. Outdoor rearing and behavioural patterns in diverse rabbit breeds: An exploratory study. Animals 15(24).

The effect of environment and husbandry practices on sheep welfare

The amount of attention paid to the welfare of animals and their maintenance conditions has grown considerably in recent years. This paper examines the effects of extensive and intensive housing systems on the environmental, behavioural, health, nutritional and social aspects...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Bąkowska, M., Pilarczyk, R., Juszczak-Czasnojć, M. et al. 2025. The effect of environment and husbandry practices on sheep welfare. Animals 15(22).

Evaluating behavioral management practices for laboratory nonhuman primates: An international survey

The largest survey to date of behavioral management practices among facilities breeding and housing nonhuman primates (NHPs) for research was conducted from 2019 to 2020. Its primary objective was to analyze and compare practices across the European Union (EU), the...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Baker, K. C., Sewell, F. R., Prescott, M. J. 2026. Evaluating behavioral management practices for laboratory nonhuman primates: An international survey. Animals 16(1).

Evaluating the impact of housing modifications on milk infrared spectra as indicators of dairy cow welfare status

The objective of this study was to explore whether milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectral patterns could reflect physiological responses to improved housing conditions aimed at enhancing dairy cow comfort and ease of movement. Three controlled animal trials were conducted to test...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Bahadi, M., Warner, D., Ismail, A. A. et al. 2025. Evaluating the impact of housing modifications on milk infrared spectra as indicators of dairy cow welfare status. Scientific Reports 15(1), 45791.

Influence of visual cover on ramp climbing behavior in guinea pigs

To ensure the optimal welfare of a species in captivity, housing and enclosure design must align with the ecology, physiology, and behavioral biology of the animal. For the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), a popular pet and laboratory animal, it is...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Cameron, K. E., Jeon, G. M., Burden, E. et al. 2025. Influence of visual cover on ramp climbing behavior in guinea pigs. Academia Biology 3(4).

Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Feather pecking (FP) and cannibalism in laying hens are disadvantageous to the well-being of the birds. We investigated whether stress could be proposed as...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: El-lethey, H., Jungi, T. W., Huber-Eicher, B. 2001. Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Physiology & Behavior 73(1), 243–251.

A review of research in primate sanctuaries

While non-human primate studies have long been conducted in laboratories, and more recently at zoological parks, sanctuaries are increasingly considered a viable setting for research. Accredited sanctuaries in non-range countries house thousands of primates formerly used as subjects of medical...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Ross, S. R., Leinwand, J. G. 2020. A review of research in primate sanctuaries. Biology Letters 16(4), 1620200033.

Investigating optimal levels of platform perch provision for windowed broiler housing

Broiler chickens show a preference for platform perches over traditional bar perches. Further information is needed on the optimal provision of these perches in order for them to be successfully installed in commercial systems. This study was designed to compare...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Baxter, M., Richmond, A., Lavery, U. et al. 2020. Investigating optimal levels of platform perch provision for windowed broiler housing. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 225, 104967.