Housing

The effect of cage size on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis carolinensis)

Reptiles are often used as model species in scientific research and are popular in the pet trade, yet how they cope with captive conditions has not been well studied. Stress caused by captivity could affect the endocrinology, physiology and behaviour...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Borgmans, G., Palme, R., Sannen, A. et al. 2019. The effect of cage size on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis carolinensis). Animal Welfare 28(4), 455-464.

Effect of slat and gap width of slatted concrete flooring on sow gait using kinematics analysis

The housing of gestating sows in groups requires sound information about the adapted design of the pen floor. Slatted concrete floors are commonly used for effective drainage of manure but can cause feet injuries and lameness. In the present study,...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Devillers, N., Janvier, E., Delijani, F. et al. 2019. Effect of slat and gap width of slatted concrete flooring on sow gait using kinematics analysis. Animals 9(5), 206.

Sham dustbathing in cages by subordinate hens is increased by a partition providing isolation

Subordinate hens express less sham dustbathing in cages than higher ranked hens, their bouts often being disturbed by a higher ranked hen. However, seeing conspecifics seems to encourage this behaviour by hens. So to avoid being disturbed, a partition between...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Moroki, Y. 2019. Sham dustbathing in cages by subordinate hens is increased by a partition providing isolation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 210, 68-72.

Suckling behaviour and health parameters of sows and piglets in free-farrowing pens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of free-farrowing pens and farrowing crates on the health parameters and the suckling behaviour of sows and their piglets, which were housed in farrowing crates (FC; n = 127)...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Housing, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Lohmeier, R. Y., Gimberg-Henrici, C. G. E., Burfeind, O. et al. 2019. Suckling behaviour and health parameters of sows and piglets in free-farrowing pens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 211, 25-32.

The effect of experience of ramps at rear on the subsequent ability of layer pullets to negotiate a ramp transition

In commercial situations, laying hens must negotiate levels to reach resources such as food, water and litter. Providing ramps in aviary systems reduces collisions and resultant keel bone fractures in adults. We investigated whether providing ramps during rear improved the...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Norman, K. I., Weeks, C. A., Pettersson, I. C. et al. 2018. The effect of experience of ramps at rear on the subsequent ability of layer pullets to negotiate a ramp transition. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 208, 92-99.

Dairy goats use outdoor runs of high quality more regardless of the quality of indoor housing

For dairy goats in loose housing, access to an outdoor run has potential welfare benefits as it provides additional space, enables spatial separation and may offer items representing behavioural enrichment for the goats (e.g. brush, climbing possibilities). However, these benefits...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Goat

Citation: Stachowicz, J., Gygax, L., Hillmann, E. et al. 2018. Dairy goats use outdoor runs of high quality more regardless of the quality of indoor housing. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 208, 22-30.

Colour polymorphic Gouldian finches avoid complex backgrounds but prefer simple camouflage colours over white backgrounds

Many animals blend in well with their environment known as camouflage which is a successful predator avoidance strategy. However, captive environments often do not allow for camouflage and may result in stress and reduced welfare. We investigated whether colour polymorphic...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Finch

Citation: Perkovic, K., Mettke-Hofmann, C. 2018. Colour polymorphic Gouldian finches avoid complex backgrounds but prefer simple camouflage colours over white backgrounds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 206, 102-108.

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.

Lying postures of dairy cows in cubicles and on pasture

Cows housed indoors with cubicles are probably more restricted in their choice of lying posture and orientation compared with cows housed on pasture. We therefore compared lying postures on pasture in Uruguay and the Netherlands with lying postures in cubicles...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: van Erp-van der Kooij, E., Almalik, O., Cavestany, D. et al. 2019. Lying postures of dairy cows in cubicles and on pasture. Animals 9(4), 183.

Standard laboratory housing for mice restricts their ability to segregate space into clean and dirty areas

Laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are typically housed in simple cages consisting of one open space. These standard cages may thwart mouse ability to segregate resting areas from areas where they eliminate, a behaviour that is prevalent across the animal kingdom....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Makowska, I. J., Franks, B., El-Hinn, C. et al. 2019. Standard laboratory housing for mice restricts their ability to segregate space into clean and dirty areas. Scientific Reports 9, 6179.