Husbandry & Management

The effect of rubber mats on preference and lying behaviour of group housed sows

This study analyses the preferences, as well as the lying behaviour, of sows with various types of mat in a group housing system lying area. The sows in the trial could choose between six bays with three lying surfaces (concrete,...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Baumann, S., Pflanz, W., Gallmann, E. et al. 2013. The effect of rubber mats on preference and lying behaviour of group housed sows. Landtechnik 68(6), 385-388.

Effects of group stability on aggression, stress and injuries in breeding rabbits

On Swiss rabbit breeding farms, group-housed does are usually kept singly for 12 days around parturition to avoid pseudogravidity, double litters and deleterious fighting for nests. After this isolation phase there is usually an integration of new group members. Here...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & Management, Reproduction, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Andrist, C. A., Bigler, L. M., Wurbel, H. W. et al. 2012. Effects of group stability on aggression, stress and injuries in breeding rabbits. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 142(3-4), 182-188.

Weight management in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) using a modified feeding device

Obesity, a common concern in captive chimpanzee populations, may lead to the development of various diseases and increase anesthetic risks. The aim of this study was to modify the current biscuit feeding devices and to utilize them in a way...

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

Citation: Bridges, J. P., Mocarski, E. C., Reamer, L. A. et al. 2013. Weight management in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) using a modified feeding device. American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 51. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #68)

Behavioral effects of construction noises and vibrations on captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

The effects of irregular vibrations on rodents and livestock have been well documented, but little information about vibration effects is available in non-human primates. This study assessed the long-term impact of construction of 7 new buildings adjacent to an animal...

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

Citation: Begnoche, C. A., Novak, M. A. 2013. Behavioral effects of construction noises and vibrations on captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 47. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #56)

Effect of light intensity as determined by cage rack position on tumor growth in a mouse model of melanoma

Within the typical laboratory animal housing facility, animals may be exposed to varying intensities of light as a result of cage type, cage position, light source, and other factors. While evidence exists that light contamination during the dark phase of...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Suckow, M. A., Wilhite, S., Wolter, W. R. et al. 2013. Effect of light intensity as determined by cage rack position on tumor growth in a mouse model of melanoma. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 670 (Abstract #P178).

Operant conditioning with laboratory beagles

There is increased regulatory emphasis on positive reinforcement training for husbandry, research procedures, and restraint devices. We practice acclimation, association, and positive reinforcement training with our beagle colony with goals to reduce stress for dogs and improve efficiency for personnel....

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Handling, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Savastano, G. M. 2013. Operant conditioning with laboratory beagles. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 619 (Abstract #PS57).

Can seeds help mice with the daily grind?

Some laboratory mice gnaw food pellets without ingesting much of the gnawed material, resulting in the production of waste material. The fact that this food grinding behavior is not seen in all individuals of a particular strain suggests that it...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Pritchett-Corning, K. R., Keefe, R., Garner, J. P. et al. 2013. Can seeds help mice with the daily grind? Laboratory Animals 47(4), 312-315.

Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction (4th Ed)

Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction, Fourth Edition offers a user-friendly guide to the unique anatomy and physiology, care, common diseases, and treatment of small mammals and nonhuman primates. Carefully designed for ease of use, the book includes tip boxes,...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical Review, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Chinchilla, Ferret, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Hrapkiewicz, K., Colby, L. A., Denison, P. 2013. Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction (4th Ed). Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, IA.

Individually ventilated cages impose cold stress on laboratory mice: A source of systemic experimental variability

Individual ventilated cages (IVC) are increasing in popularity. Although mice avoid IVC in preference testing, they show no aversion when provided additional nesting material or the cage is not ventilated. Given the high ventilation rate in IVC, we developed 3...

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

Citation: David, J. M., Knowles, S., Lamkin, D. M. et al. 2013. Individually ventilated cages impose cold stress on laboratory mice: A source of systemic experimental variability. JAALAS 52(6), 738-744.

Individually ventilated cages impose cold-stress on laboratory mice: A source of systemic experimental variability

Individual ventilated cages (IVC) have recently been increasing in popularity. Based on the high rates of ventilation with IVCs, we developed 3 hypotheses: first, mice housed in IVCs experience significantly more cold-stress than mice housed in static cages; second, the...

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

Citation: David, J. M., Stout, D. 2013. Individually ventilated cages impose cold-stress on laboratory mice: A source of systemic experimental variability. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 610 (Abstract #PS10).