Husbandry & Management

Impact of bedding volume on physiological and behavioural parameters in laboratory mice

The standard housing temperature in animal facilities is substantially below the lower critical temperature of mice. This does not only endanger animal welfare, it can also jeopardize scientific research as cold stress has a major impact on mouse physiology. There...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Freymann, J., Tsai, P.-P., Stelzer, H. D. et al. 2017. Impact of bedding volume on physiological and behavioural parameters in laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 51(6), 601-612.

Sorting it out: Bedding particle size and nesting material processing method affect nest complexity

As part of routine husbandry, an increasing number of laboratory mice receive nesting material in addition to standard bedding material in their cages. Nesting material improves health outcomes and physiological performance in mice that receive it. Providing usable nesting material...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Robinson-Junker, A., Morin, A., Pritchett-Corning, K. et al. 2017. Sorting it out: Bedding particle size and nesting material processing method affect nest complexity. Laboratory Animals 51(2), 170-180.

Softened food reduces weight loss in the streptozotocin-induced male mouse model of diabetic nephropathy

The streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse is a widely used model of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, it is a well-known issue that this model is challenged by high weight loss, which despite supportive measures often results in high euthanization...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Nørgaard, S. A., Sand, F. B., Sørensen, D. B. et al. 2018. Softened food reduces weight loss in the streptozotocin-induced male mouse model of diabetic nephropathy. Laboratory Animals 52(4), 373-383.

Claw condition and claw health in dairy cows: how important is access to pasture?

Housing cows on hard flooring is associated with increased claw disorders. Pasture access shows a positive effect on claw health, particularly for diseases that are related to moist environments (eg, digital dermatitis). Regular documentation of claw health is a useful...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Volkmann, N., Kemper, N. 2018. Claw condition and claw health in dairy cows: how important is access to pasture? Veterinary Record 182(3), 76-78.

Does access to pasture affect claw condition and health in dairy cows?

The aim of this study was to examine effects of pasturing in dairy cows on claw condition (claw length, hardness) and on the prevalence of claw diseases. At claw trimming, a total of 240 Holstein-Friesian or Red-Holstein cows from 20...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Armbrecht, L., Lambertz, C., Albers, D. et al. 2018. Does access to pasture affect claw condition and health in dairy cows? Veterinary Record 182(3), 79.

Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: Towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability

The keeping of exotic pets is currently under debate and governments of several countries are increasingly exploring the regulation, or even the banning, of exotic pet keeping. Major concerns are issues of public health and safety, animal welfare and biodiversity...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Reptile, Salamander, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Pasmans, F., Bogaerts, S., Braeckman, J. et al. 2017. Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: Towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability. Veterinary Record 181(17), 450.

Clinical parameters and adrenocortical activity to assess stress responses of alpacas using different methods of restraint either alone or with shearing

Shearing of alpacas is stressful and is undertaken by restraint in the standing position, cast on the floor or on a tilt table. The objectives of the study were to evaluate and compare the stress responses between different methods. The...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & Management, RestraintAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Wittek, T., Salaberger, T., Palme, R. et al. 2017. Clinical parameters and adrenocortical activity to assess stress responses of alpacas using different methods of restraint either alone or with shearing. Veterinary Record 180(23), 568.

European Zebrafish Meeting 2015 Husbandry Session Report

A workshop to address husbandry and animal welfare was held during the 9th European Zebrafish Meeting in Oslo, Norway, from June 28 to July 2, 2015. The husbandry workshop took place on Monday, June 29, and was well attended by...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Varga, Z. M., Wilson, C., Alestrøm, P. 2016. European Zebrafish Meeting 2015 Husbandry Session Report. Zebrafish 13(3), 230-231.

A review of population control methods in captive-housed primates

The success of breeding primates in captivity has led to a surplus number of animals in collections. This review examines published journals and key books to investigate the various methods of primate population control. Hormonal, surgical and separation methods are...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & Management, ReproductionAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Wallace, P. Y., Asa, C. S., Agnew, M. et al. 2016. A review of population control methods in captive-housed primates. Animal Welfare 25(1), 7-20.

Dried rotifer sheet: A novel live feed for rearing first-feeding larvae

Rotifers are now becoming a standard live feed for first-feeding larvae, because of their easy rearing protocol and improved growth and survival rate, compared with other fish feed, paramecia, and processed powder fish feeds. In a group of rotifers, bdelloid...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Nakayama, H., Katayama, K., Onabe, Y. et al. 2018. Dried rotifer sheet: A novel live feed for rearing first-feeding larvae. Zebrafish 15(3), 291–294.