Husbandry & Management

Gorilla behavior in response to systematic alternation between zoo enclosures

Gorillas were more likely to increase exhibit use and visibility to zoo visitors during a 4-day novel phase compared to subsequent days in the exhibit. Regularly alternating gorillas between zoo exhibits is a form of environmental enrichment that can increase...

Year Published: 2003Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lukas, K. E., Hoff, M. P., Maple, T. L. 2003. Gorilla behavior in response to systematicalternation between zoo enclosures . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 81, 367-386.

Providing shelter does not complicate manipulation in two mouse strains

Enrichment in the form of sheltering objects [PVC tubes] does not complicate catching or handling mice and does not interfere with management or cost of laboratory animals. FVB males should not be kept together unless such enrichment is provided.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Moons, C., Van Wiele, P., ?dberg, F. O. 2004. Providing shelter does not complicate manipulationin two mouse strains. Proceedings of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations [FELASA] Symposium, 212 (Abstract).

Common husbandry-related variables in biomedical research with animals

The barren primary enclosure is an abnormal living environment for laboratory animals. Species-appropriate enrichment attenuates some of the distress resulting from chronic understimulation. Social deprivation distress of individually-caged social animals is best mitigated by the provision of compatible companionship. Biotelemetry...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Reinhardt, V. 2004. Common husbandry-related variables in biomedical research with animals. Laboratory Animals 38, 213-235.

Water leakage in rodent cages: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

It is not uncommon that malfunctioning in watering valves or leaks of water bottles result in the accumulation of water in rodent cages (especially during holidays and on weekends), a circumstance that can have serious implications for the animals trapped...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Barley, J. B., Cherry, K. A., Garner, J. et al. 2004. Water leakage in rodent cages: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 3, 111-114.

Looking after animals kept in research laboratories

The following discussion took place on the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF] in December 2003. .. In my experience in a biomedical research setting it is exceedingly rare to have researchers who get into the muck. We have...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Anonymous 2004. Looking after animals kept in research laboratories. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 53(2), 14-15.

Potential for unintended consequences of environmental enrihment for laboratory animals and research results

Many aspects of the research animal's housing environment are controlled for quality and/or standardization. Of recent interest is the potential for environmental enrichment to have unexpected consequences such as unintended harm to the animal, or the introduction of variability into...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Hamster, Macaque, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Bayne, K. 2005. Potential for unintended consequences of environmental enrihment for laboratory animals and research results. ILAR Journal 46(2), 129-139.

How tufted capuching monkeys (Cebus apella) rank monkey chow in relation to other foods

Occasional presentation of novel food items could [sic] be a stimulating and economical method of providing sensory enrichment.

Year Published: 2005Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Capuchin, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Addessi, E., Stammati, M., Sabbatinin, G. et al. 2005. How tufted capuching monkeys (Cebus apella) rank monkey chow in relation to other foods. Animal Welfare 14, 215-222.

Long-term effects of cage-cleaning frequency and bedding type on laboratory rat welfare: A cross-laboratory study

Cage-cleaning frequency does not have a clear effect on welfare in male rats.

Year Published: 2005Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burn, C., Mason, G. 2005. Long-term effects of cage-cleaning frequency and bedding type on laboratory rat welfare: A cross-laboratory study. Animal Technology and Welfare 4, 80-82.

Effects of specific noise and music stimuli on stress and fear levels of laying hens of several breeds

The results of the present study indicate that specific noise stimulus (90 dB versus 65 dB) causes stress and fear in laying hens and specific classical music stimulus (75 dB versus 65 dB) has a negative influence on their fearfulness.

Year Published: 2005Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Campo, J. L., Gil, M. G., Dávila, S. G. 2005. Effects of specific noise and music stimuli on stress and fear levels of laying hens of several breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 91(1-2), 75-84.

Husbandry of an atypical animal research model: The degu (Octodon degus)

Useful tips on the behavior, handling, diet, breeding and environmental enrichment of degus: One of the most important aspects to consider when housing the degu is social behavior. Animals should be pair housed, either as a breeding pair or same...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Haight, J. 2005. Husbandry of an atypical animal research model: The degu (Octodon degus). Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 10(6).