Husbandry & Management

Effect of noise on bornean orangutans’ glucocorticoid metabolite (GCM) levels

Zoos are increasingly hosting out-of-hours events such as ‘Music Nights’ to increase visitation, raising potential animal welfare concerns due to anthropogenic noise pollution. This study examined the physiological stress response, measured through faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGCM), of Bornean orangutans (Pongo...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Queiroz, M. B. de, Passos, L. F., Azevedo, C. S. de et al. 2025. Effect of noise on bornean orangutans’ glucocorticoid metabolite (GCM) levels. Animals 15(23).

The influence of environmental conditions and husbandry practices on goat welfare

Goat (Capra hircus) welfare is an important issue in any farming system. The aim of the study was a comprehensive analysis of the impact of environmental factors and farming practices on the welfare of goats, with particular attention to physical,...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Goat

Citation: Pilarczyk, R., Bąkowska, M., Tomza-Marciniak, A. et al. 2026. The influence of environmental conditions and husbandry practices on goat welfare. Animals 16(5).

Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) husbandry and their welfare

A key diagnostic tool in breeding practice is systematic observation: by identifying abnormalities in natural behaviour, it can highlight early signs of reduced welfare or physical and mental health issues in livestock and other animals. The aim of this paper...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Pilarczyk, R., Bąkowska, M., Pilarczyk, B. et al. 2025. Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) husbandry and their welfare. Animals 15(21).

Dog group feeding: A refinement rooted in the 3Rs

Group feeding has the potential to improve welfare, meet nutritional needs and address behavioural issues due to reduced separation times, when compared to single feeding regimes.

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

Citation: Owen, J., Teti, M. 2025. Dog group feeding: A refinement rooted in the 3Rs. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(3), 257–258.

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).