Husbandry & Management

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.

The effect of environment and husbandry practices on sheep welfare

The amount of attention paid to the welfare of animals and their maintenance conditions has grown considerably in recent years. This paper examines the effects of extensive and intensive housing systems on the environmental, behavioural, health, nutritional and social aspects...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Bąkowska, M., Pilarczyk, R., Juszczak-Czasnojć, M. et al. 2025. The effect of environment and husbandry practices on sheep welfare. Animals 15(22).

Evaluating behavioral management practices for laboratory nonhuman primates: An international survey

The largest survey to date of behavioral management practices among facilities breeding and housing nonhuman primates (NHPs) for research was conducted from 2019 to 2020. Its primary objective was to analyze and compare practices across the European Union (EU), the...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Baker, K. C., Sewell, F. R., Prescott, M. J. 2026. Evaluating behavioral management practices for laboratory nonhuman primates: An international survey. Animals 16(1).

The effect of rearing environment on feather pecking in young and adult laying hens

Although the rearing period has an important influence on the development of feather pecking in laying hens, few studies have quantified the risk factors operating on commercial farms during this time and identified their long-term impact. Our aim was to...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Gilani, A.-M., Knowles, T. G., Nicol, C. J. 2013. The effect of rearing environment on feather pecking in young and adult laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 148(1), 54–63.

Feather pecking in non-beak-trimmed and beak-trimmed laying hens on commercial farms with aviaries

Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a major animal welfare problem in layers. It results in pain and injuries in the affected animal. SFP is a behavioral disorder and should not be confused with aggressive pecking. The aim of our study...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Schwarzer, A., Plattner, C., Bergmann, S. et al. 2021. Feather pecking in non-beak-trimmed and beak-trimmed laying hens on commercial farms with aviaries. Animals 11(11).

Feather pecking and cannibalism in non-beak-trimmed laying hen flocks—Farmers’ perspectives

Pecking-related problems are common in intensive egg production, diminishing hen welfare and production performance, and negatively affecting sustainability. Beak trimming is a common practice to control these problems, but in Finland beak trimming is prohibited. Finnish egg producers have decades-long...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Kaukonen, E., Valros, A. 2019. Feather pecking and cannibalism in non-beak-trimmed laying hen flocks—Farmers’ perspectives Animals 9(2).

Cause and prevention of injurious pecking in chickens

This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on feather-pecking in poultry. The first chapter describes the three main forms of injurious pecking (IP) in poultry: tissue pecking (TP), aggressive pecking (AP) and feather-pecking (FP). It discusses the origin of severe...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: van Staaveren, N., Harlander, A. 2021. Cause and prevention of injurious pecking in chickens. In N. van Staaveren, A. Harlander, D. D. McKeegan, et al. (Eds.), Instant Insights: Feather-pecking in poultry. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.