Housing

Effects of play caging on the behavior and enrichment use of singly-housed rhesus macaques

This study examined whether allowing 10 singly-housed adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) 2-week access to a larger play cage would increase their species-typical behavior and decrease anxiety and abnormal behavior. The play cage consisted of four interconnected cages equipped...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Griffis, C., Martin, A. L., Perlman, J. E. et al. 2012. Effects of play caging on the behavior and enrichment use of singly-housed rhesus macaques. American Journal of Primatology 74(S1), 35. (35th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #33)

Effect of marginal environmental and social enrichment during rearing on pigs’ reactions to novelty, conspecifics and handling

The rearing environment of farmed animals can affect their behaviour when handled, and therefore needs to be taken into account when selecting for traits such as docility. Therefore, 126 German Landrace and Pietrain × German Landrace pigs were reared in...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Toenepoehl, B., Appel, A. K., Welp, S. et al. 2012. Effect of marginal environmental and social enrichment during rearing on pigs' reactions to novelty, conspecifics and handling. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 140(3-4), 137-145.

Can regular access to floor pens affect caged rabbit behavior? American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 615-616 (Abstract #PS43)

The main objective of the program of research, of which this study is part, is to evaluate the housing and environmental enrichment for laboratory rabbits. The aim is to determine whether modifications to basic housing will improve the wellbeing of...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Cruden, J. 2013. Can regular access to floor pens affect caged rabbit behavior? American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 615-616 (Abstract #PS43).

Biology, behavior, and environmental enrichment for the captive African clawed frog (Xenopus spp)

Xenopus are a hardy, long-lived, aquatic amphibian species which readily adapt to a captive environment. This characteristic makes Xenopus ideal for the laboratory, where they are used extensively in basic and biomedical research. Though husbandry practices for Xenopus have not...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Chum, H., Felt, S., Garner, J. et al. 2013. Biology, behavior, and environmental enrichment for the captive African clawed frog (Xenopus spp). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 143(2-4), 150-156.

The problem with the dark bottom-row cage for non-human primates: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum

Since there is evidence that the bottom cages can impact research, this should be a good reason to eliminate the two-tier system with its species-inappropriate bottom-tier cages.

Year Published: 2013Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Baumans, V., Bennett, K., Donnelly, M. et al. 2013. The problem with the dark bottom-row cage for non-human primates: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 12, 111-114.

The effect of rubber mats on preference and lying behaviour of group housed sows

This study analyses the preferences, as well as the lying behaviour, of sows with various types of mat in a group housing system lying area. The sows in the trial could choose between six bays with three lying surfaces (concrete,...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Baumann, S., Pflanz, W., Gallmann, E. et al. 2013. The effect of rubber mats on preference and lying behaviour of group housed sows. Landtechnik 68(6), 385-388.

Effect of enrichment on the behaviour and growth of juvenile Xenopus laevis

Xenopus laevis is the most widely used model amphibian species in laboratories, yet there is almost no experimental evidence to guide best practice for captive housing. Enrichment is an important component of maintenance and welfare. A split-sibship experimental design was...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Archard, G. A. 2012. Effect of enrichment on the behaviour and growth of juvenile Xenopus laevis. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 139(3-4), 264-270.

Increased cage height does not impact the wellbeing of rabbits

In the eighth edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the recommended rabbit cage height was changed from 14 to 16 in. In contrast, the majority of our rabbit cages, purchased in 1985 after the...

Year Published: 2013Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Stewart, K. L., Guilfoyle, D., Preisser, W. 2013. Increased cage height does not impact the wellbeing of rabbits. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 665 (Abstract #P159).

Benefits of an enhanced enrichment program for a canine research colony

The overall benefits of an enrichment and exercise program for research canines has been well documented and is a required element, by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), of any institution's Animal Care and Use Program. However, some research...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Sposato, M. 2013. Benefits of an enhanced enrichment program for a canine research colony. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 669 (Abstract #P176).

Effects of environment and enrichment on the behavior and serum corticosterone levels in Xenopus laevis

Xenopus laevis is a commonly used research animal for which well accepted enrichment strategies have not been established. Our overall objective was to identify enrichment strategies that are most beneficial to Xenopus as a step toward creating housing standards that...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Scott, J. A., Taylor, D. 2013. Effects of environment and enrichment on the behavior and serum corticosterone levels in Xenopus laevis. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 662 (Abstract #P145).