Husbandry & Management

The impact of light-dark cycles and caging-systems on behavior and corticosterone excretion in the naked mole rat.

The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) (NMR) is increasingly becoming an important animal model in biomedical research. Housing NMR optimally in captivity is therefore important. The present study was designed to establish the effects of varying photoperiods and cage designs...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Mwobobia, R., Kanui, T., Abelson, K. 2025. The impact of light-dark cycles and caging-systems on behavior and corticosterone excretion in the naked mole rat. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 51, 38–50.

Effects of natural and artificial shade on behavior, physiology, and productivity in water buffalo: A narrative review

Although water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are a species known for their adaptability to different environments, their anatomical characteristics make them susceptible to heat stress in hot-humid climate conditions. In productive systems, the provision of natural or artificial shade is an...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Lanzoni, L., Fernandes Bettencourt, A. et al. 2026. Effects of natural and artificial shade on behavior, physiology, and productivity in water buffalo: A narrative review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Prevalence and management practices of ophthalmic lesions in laboratory mice

The regular inspection of the eye health is an essential part of the veterinary care task in an animal facility in order to achieve robust results during experimentation. The aim of the study was to find out, when and how...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Matzek, D., Rumpel, S., Kassumeh, S. et al. 2026. Prevalence and management practices of ophthalmic lesions in laboratory mice. Scientific Reports 16(1), 8732.

Main husbandry practices and health conditions that affect welfare in calves: A narrative review

Calf welfare is critically influenced by early-life husbandry practices and health conditions. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on key management practices affecting calf welfare, including calving, colostrum intake, milk feeding, water provision, weaning, housing, mutilations, and transport. A structured...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Mainau, E., Goby, L., Manteca, X. 2025. Main husbandry practices and health conditions that affect welfare in calves: A narrative review. Animals 15(21).

Fermentation bed farming improves behavioral expression and stress resistance in geese

Introduction Conventional livestock farming restricts the expression of natural behaviors and exacerbates animal stress responses. This study investigated the effects of fermentation bed farming, a novel welfare-oriented system, on the behavior and stress resistance of geese.Methods240 Northern White Geese (‌Anser...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Li, H., Yang, J., Zhang, J. et al. 2026. Fermentation bed farming improves behavioral expression and stress resistance in geese. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Effects of housing and environmental enrichment on performance, welfare, and air quality in fattening pigs

In intensive pig production systems, limited space and lack of enrichment materials (EMs) restrict natural behaviors, inducing chronic stress and impairing welfare and health. Conventional EMs such as straw and sawdust improve comfort but increase NH3 and particulate emissions and...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management

Citation: Lee, J., Song, H., Biswas, S. et al. 2026. Effects of housing and environmental enrichment on performance, welfare, and air quality in fattening pigs. Animals 16(4).

Nutritional insights into octopus diets in aquaria

Common octopus Octopus vulgaris are a popular exhibit in aquaria; however, there is limited research on the nutritional requirements of this species. The current information available is from the aquaculture industry and thus focused on young individuals and maximising growth...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cephalopod, Invertebrate

Citation: Hunt, K., Freeman, M., Chamberlain, C. et al. 2026. Nutritional insights into octopus diets in aquaria. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 14(1), 25–30.

Role of illumination and light colour temperature in the preference behaviour of weaned piglets

This study investigated the preference behaviour of 24 four-week-old weaned piglets under different lighting conditions (0 lux with 0 Kelvin vs. 80 lux with 3000 Kelvin vs. 6500 Kelvin). Two trials with 12 piglets each were conducted over five weeks...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Götz, S., Reiter, K., Wensch-Dorendorf, M. et al. 2025. Role of illumination and light colour temperature in the preference behaviour of weaned piglets. Animals 15(21), 3116.

The influence of different light spectra on broiler chicken endocrine systems and productivity

In birds, light can penetrate the cranial bones and reach deep brain regions, where non-visual photoreceptors, especially in the hypothalamus, detect spectral and photoperiodic cues. Alongside retinal photoreception, deep-brain light sensing contributes to circadian entrainment and regulates melatonin secretion by...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Galan, L., Solcan, G., Solcan, C. 2025. The influence of different light spectra on broiler chicken endocrine systems and productivity. Animals 15(21), 3209.

Supportive nutrition for elderly chimpanzees: A case study on non-invasive supplementation in a group setting

Ageing chimpanzees Pan troglodytes in zoological settings often experience physiological decline, including loss of body condition and muscle mass, which can negatively impact welfare and longevity. Over a three-year period, three elderly chimpanzees at Antwerp Zoo exhibited rapid and unexplained...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Depauw, S., Riemsdijk, R. V. 2025. Supportive nutrition for elderly chimpanzees: A case study on non-invasive supplementation in a group setting. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(4), 241–244.