Husbandry & Management

Preferences of group-housed female mice regarding structure of softwood bedding

Bedding influences various parameters in the housing of laboratory mice, such as health, physiology and behaviour (often considered as being integral parts of welfare). Notwithstanding existent studies about bedding preferences of individually tested mice, data about group-housed mice are still...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kirchner, J., Hackbarth, H., Stelzer, H. D. et al. 2012. Preferences of group-housed female mice regarding structure of softwood bedding. Laboratory Animals 46(2), 95-100.

Effects of cage density, sanitation frequency, and bedding type on animal well-being and health and cage environment in mice and rats

Ongoing studies and historical data support the finding that deviations or exceptions from the cage density and sanitation frequency standards set forth in the Guide do not negatively affect animal health, welfare, or production parameters at our institution. These parameters...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Horn, M. J., Hudson, S. V., Bostrom, L. A. et al. 2012. Effects of cage density, sanitation frequency, and bedding type on animal well-being and health and cage environment in mice and rats. JAALAS 51(6), 781-788.

Individual differences in temperament and behavioral management practices for nonhuman primates

This review will examine how individual differences in temperament might affect, or be affected by, behavioral management practices for captive primates. Measuring temperament may help us predict the outcome of social introductions. It can also predict which animals may be...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Husbandry & Management, PersonalityAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Coleman, K. 2012. Individual differences in temperament and behavioral management practices for nonhuman primates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 137(3-4), 106-113.

Improved nonhuman primate social housing using visual cues associated for an intensive research study

Lean management-based visual tools have been used to improve the quality of animal care associated with a complex research study involving immune-compromised cynomolgus monkeys (M. fascicularis) in various postsurgical recovery states. In order to effectively care for such research animals,...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Camacho, J. N., Boskovic, S., Moeller, E. 2012. Improved nonhuman primate social housing using visual cues associated for an intensive research study. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 636-637 (Abstract #PS35).

Physiological and behavioural stress responses in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to noise associated with construction work

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavioural and physiological responses to environmental disturbances (live and recorded dynamite explosions) in laboratory non-human primates in preparation for a future tunnel construction underneath our animal facility. In a pilot...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Westlund, K., Fernstrom, A.L., Wergard, E.-M. et al. 2012. Physiological and behavioural stress responses in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to noise associated with construction work. Laboratory Animals 46(1), 51-58.

Manzanita wood: A sanitizable enrichment option for nonhuman primates

Wooden objects are often used as nonhuman primate enrichment to provide variety and novelty, promote exploratory behavior, and supply an outlet for curiosity. However, concerns have been raised regarding the ability to sanitize wood by using conventional cage-wash procedures. To...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Luchins, K. R., Baker, K. C., Gilbert, M. H. et al. 2011. Manzanita wood: A sanitizable enrichment option for nonhuman primates. JAALAS 50(6), 884-887.

The problem with the dark bottom-row cage for non-human primates: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum

Since there is evidence that the bottom cages can impact research, this should be a good reason to eliminate the two-tier system with its species-inappropriate bottom-tier cages.

Year Published: 2013Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Baumans, V., Bennett, K., Donnelly, M. et al. 2013. The problem with the dark bottom-row cage for non-human primates: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 12, 111-114.

Availability of feces-free areas in rodent shoebox cages

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) recommends that terrestrial mammals be provided space free of urine and feces in which to rest. To evaluate the feasibility of meeting this recommendation, the author examined the...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Boivin, G. P. 2013. Availability of feces-free areas in rodent shoebox cages. Lab Animal 42(4), 135-141.

Behavior of laboratory mice is altered by light pollution within the housing environment

Environmental light-dark cycles play an important role in behavioural and physiological processes. It is essential that laboratory vivaria be designed to properly control the light conditions in which laboratory mice are housed; however, this is not universally the case. Some...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bedrosian, T. A., Vaughn, C. A., Weil, Z. M. et al. 2013. Behavior of laboratory mice is altered by light pollution within the housing environment. Animal Welfare 22(4), 483-487.

Behavior, body condition, and hair coat quality in differentially-reared rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Nursery rearing of rhesus macaques may be necessitated by management or research reasons as well as for the derivation of Specific Pathogen Free breeding colonies. Toward this last aim, the Tulane National Primate Research Center maintains both a colony derived...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Baker, K. C., Bauer, S. A. 2013. Behavior, body condition, and hair coat quality in differentially-reared rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 92. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #196)