Husbandry & Management

Using sterile flocked swabs as an alternative method for rodent health monitoring

Routine health monitoring is an integral part of managing SPF rodent colonies. In recent years, rack-level environmental sampling has been introduced as an adjunct method or replacement for exposure of sentinel rodents to soiled bedding. However, rack-level environmental monitoring is...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Varela, M. M. D., Bibay, J. I. A., Ogden, B. E. et al. 2022. Using sterile flocked swabs as an alternative method for rodent health monitoring. JAALAS 61(4), 370-380.

Housing and husbandry alternatives for naked mole rat colonies used in research settings

Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are a unique rodent species originating in Africa and are increasingly being used in research. Their needs and characteristics differ from those of other rodents used in research. Unique housing systems are necessary to address...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Ragland, N. H., Compo, N. R., Wiltshire, N. et al. 2022. Housing and husbandry alternatives for naked mole rat colonies used in research settings. JAALAS 61(5), 412-418.

Comparison of some behavioural responses in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) raised in cages enriched with coloured LED lights

This study examined the effects of exposure to coloured LED lights on some behavioural responses, food and water consumption, and live weight in budgerigars kept in captivity using behavioural tests to compare different lighting conditions. Budgerigars' feeding, comfort, social, fear,...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Ergun, D., Taskin, A. 2022. Comparison of some behavioural responses in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) raised in cages enriched with coloured LED lights. Animals 12(18), 2454.

Shelter use by horses during summer in relation to weather conditions and horsefly (Tabanidae) prevalence

National legislation requires shelter access for horses kept outside during winter, whereas there are no requirements for shelter access to provide shade and a refuge from biting insects during summer. This study investigated use of artificial shelters by 10 horse...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Winther Christensen, J., Gargulak Andersen, A., Nymark Skovbo, K. et al. 2022. Shelter use by horses during summer in relation to weather conditions and horsefly (Tabanidae) prevalence. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 253, 105676.

Assessment of indoor air quality for group-housed macaques (Macaca spp.)

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is strongly associated with animal health and wellbeing. To identify possible problems of the indoor environment of macaques (Macaca spp.), we assessed the IAQ. The temperature (°C), relative humidity (%) and concentrations of inhalable dust (mg/m3),...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Maaskant, A., Janssen, I., Wouters, I. M. et al. 2022. Assessment of indoor air quality for group-housed macaques (Macaca spp.). Animals 12(14), 1750.

Increasing environmental complexity by providing different types of litter and perches during early rearing boosts coping abilities in domestic fowl chicks

Early experience of a complex environment can improve biologically relevant traits related to coping abilities. However, the mechanisms underlying these positive effects have not been well explored. We hypothesized that giving chicks possibilities to express choices within relevant resources could...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Nazar, F. N., Skånberg, L., McCrea, K. et al. 2022. Increasing environmental complexity by providing different types of litter and perches during early rearing boosts coping abilities in domestic fowl chicks. Animals 12(15), 1969.

Preferences of dairy cattle for supplemental light-emitting diode lighting in the resting area

Light from the environment is important for vision and regulating various biological processes. Providing supplemental lighting in the stall area could allow for individually targeted or group-level control of light. This study aimed to determine whether dairy cattle had preferences...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Wilson, A. M., Wright, T. C., Cant, J. P. et al. 2022. Preferences of dairy cattle for supplemental light-emitting diode lighting in the resting area. Animals 12(15), 1894.

Effect of different ambient temperatures on reproductive outcome and stress level of lactating females in two mouse strains

Ambient temperature is an important non-biotic environmental factor influencing immunological and oncological parameters in laboratory mice. It is under discussion which temperature is more appropriate and whether the commonly used room temperature in rodent facilities of about 21 °C represents...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kolbe, T., Lassnig, C., Poelzl, A. et al. 2022. Effect of different ambient temperatures on reproductive outcome and stress level of lactating females in two mouse strains. Animals 12(16), 2141.

The sound world of zebrafish: A critical review of hearing assessment

Zebrafish, like all fish species, use sound to learn about their environment. Thus, human-generated (anthropogenic) sound added to the environment has the potential to disrupt the detection of biologically relevant sounds, alter behavior, impact fitness, and produce stress and other...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Popper, A. N., Sisneros, J. A. 2022. The sound world of zebrafish: A critical review of hearing assessment. Zebrafish 19(2), 37-48.

Report of the 2021 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group meeting

The RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group has held a one-day meeting every autumn for the last 28 years, so that its members can discuss current welfare research, exchange views on welfare issues and share experiences of the implementation of the 3Rs...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Stevens, C., Dobbinson, K., Brook, E. et al. 2022. Report of the 2021 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group meeting. Animal Technology and Welfare 21(2), 83-91.