Husbandry & Management

The utility of voluntary weighing in captive group-living rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Bodyweight is an important health and welfare indicator for captive non-human primates (NHPs). Bodyweight can be measured during routine handling procedures, which cause stress. Alternatively, animals can be trained to step onto a scale, but training success varies greatly between...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Zijlmans, D. G. M., Vernes, M. K., Sterck, E. H. M. et al. 2021. The utility of voluntary weighing in captive group-living rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Animal Welfare 30(3), 249-258.

Large farm animals used for research purposes: A survey on purchase, housing and hygiene management

Background: Farm animals (FAs) are frequently used in biomedical research. Recommendations for the purchase, housing and health monitoring of these animals (sheep, goats, cattle and pigs) are still missing, and many institutes have developed their own strategies and protocols to...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Schmidt, T., Ferrara, F., Pobloth, A.-M. et al. 2021. Large farm animals used for research purposes: A survey on purchase, housing and hygiene management. Animals 11(8), 2158.

The effects of bedding material on the treatment of mild pododermatitis in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

One of our colony's five guinea pigs started to develop a moderate case of pododermatitis (bumblefoot) on one paw, which staff were keen to alleviate to prevent any detrimental effects that this might have on her health and welfare. Pododermatitis...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Ferguson, K., Fisher, Z. 2021. The effects of bedding material on the treatment of mild pododermatitis in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). RATEL (Journal of the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers) 48(1), 18-22.

Rearing experience with ramps improves specific learning and behaviour and welfare on a commercial laying farm

To access resources in commercial laying houses hens must move between levels with agility to avoid injury. This study considered whether providing ramps during rear improved the ability of birds to transition between levels. Twelve commercial flocks (2000 birds/flock) on...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Norman, K. I., Weeks, C. A., Tarlton, J. F. 2021. Rearing experience with ramps improves specific learning and behaviour and welfare on a commercial laying farm. Scientific Reports 11(1), 8860.

Influence of dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) on dogs housed in a long-term kennelling facility

Introduction: Kennel facilities are commonly acknowledged as a stressful environment for many domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). One therapeutic measure used to reduce anxiety in dogs is dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), which has been found effective in reducing stress-related behaviours in...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Grigg, E.K., Piehler, M. 2015. Influence of dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) on dogs housed in a long-term kennelling facility. Veterinary Record Open 2(1), e000098.

Observations on spindly leg syndrome in a captive population of Andinobates geminisae

Amphibian health problems of unknown cause limit the success of the growing number of captive breeding programs. Spindly leg syndrome (SLS) is one such disease, where affected individuals with underdeveloped limbs often require euthanization. We experimentally evaluated husbandry-related factors of...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Higgins, K., Guerrel, J., Lassiter, E. et al. 2021. Observations on spindly leg syndrome in a captive population of Andinobates geminisae. Zoo Biology 40(4), 330-341.

Husbandry techniques for a research colony of veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Although most chameleon species can be challenging captives, C. calyptratus have been successfully kept and bred in captivity for over thirty years. Despite their relative familiarity, our challenge is to replicate their preferred habitats in a practical way while also...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Jewell, D., Muensch, A., Kupronis, R. et al. 2021. Husbandry techniques for a research colony of veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(4) (July/August), 52-55.

Using individual-specific conditioning to reduce stereotypic behaviours: A study on smooth dogfish Mustelus canis in captivity

Despite how frequently stereotypic behaviours are discussed in the field of animal behaviour and welfare, research on stereotypies in captive elasmobranchs is far less represented in the literature compared to studies on mammalian species. This is particularly unfortunate as aquatic...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Hart, A., Reynolds, Z., Troxell-Smith, S. 2021. Using individual-specific conditioning to reduce stereotypic behaviours: A study on smooth dogfish Mustelus canis in captivity. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 9(3), 193-199.

Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations recommendations of best practices for the health management of ruminants and pigs used for scientific and educational purposes

Most ruminants and pigs used for scientific and educational aims are bred not for these purposes but in a farm environment. Given the wide range of diseases that these species might have, ensuring that the animals' health status is appropriate...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: FELASA Working Group on Farm Animals: Berset, C. M., Caristo, M. E., Ferrara, F. et al. 2021. Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations recommendations of best practices for the health management of ruminants and pigs used for scientific and educational purposes. Laboratory Animals 55(2), 117-128.

Zebrafish water quality for laboratory animal technicians

Zebrafish are an increasingly popular model organism in many aspects of animal research; however, some aspects of their husbandry needs are quite disparate from that which most lab animal technicians are trained. Possibly the most important aspect of zebrafish husbandry...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Archer, C. 2021. Zebrafish water quality for laboratory animal technicians. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(4) (July/August), 11-13.