Husbandry & Management

A simplified method to identify and reduce flooded rodent caging

The number of flooded cages per cage change cycle (14 days) was tracked and it was identified that leaks and flooding often times occurred shortly after cage changing. To reduce the occurrence of flooded caging, we developed a pre-screening process...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Holley, A., Drayer, J., Rammling, M. et al. 2014. A simplified method to identify and reduce flooded rodent caging. Charles River, Orlando, FL.

Role of noise and music as anxiety modulators: Relationship with ovarian hormones in the rat

This work aims to verify the role of noise and music as anxiety modulators and their relationship with ovarian hormones. For this purpose, female Wistar rats were used and treated, forming different experimental groups, with 17-β-estradiol, progesterone, allopregnanolone, finasteride (inhibitor...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Escribano, B., Quero, I., Feijóo, M. et al. 2014. Role of noise and music as anxiety modulators: Relationship with ovarian hormones in the rat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152, 73-82.

Elimination behavior of shelter dogs housed in double compartment kennels

For animals in confinement housing the housing structure has tremendous potential to impact well being. Dogs in animal shelters are often housed in one of two types of confinement housing – single kennels and rooms or double compartment kennels and...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wagner, D., Newbury, S., Kass, P. et al. 2014. Elimination behavior of shelter dogs housed in double compartment kennels. PLOS ONE 9(5), e96254.

Shedding ultraviolet light on welfare in laboratory rodents: Suggestions for further research and refinement

The welfare of laboratory rats and mice is sought to be optimised through adjustment of a variety of environmental factors, including light intensity and photoperiodicity. However, the fact that rodents are able to perceive ultraviolet (UV) light tends to be...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Sorensen, D. B. 2014. Shedding ultraviolet light on welfare in laboratory rodents: Suggestions for further research and refinement. Animal Welfare 23(3), 259-261.

NHP wire biscuit feeder

This apparatus is used for single-housed baboons of all ages. The device is a wire suet feeder used for birds and squirrels. It can be purchased from Walmart, Home Depot, etc. There are many sizes and shapes, and the cost...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Stevens, T. 2014. NHP wire biscuit feeder. Enrichment Record Dec 2, 2014 (online publication).

Peanut butter/banana feeder

This device takes only a few minutes to make. 1. Start with a short piece of PVC pipe. 2. Drill a hole through both sides of the top and bottom. 3. Insert a stainless bolt with lock nut through top...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Schultz, P. 2014. Peanut butter/banana feeder. Enrichment Record Oct 16, 2014 (online publication).

A comparison of soiled bedding densities and stress in sentinel mice

Sentinel animals are used to monitor the health status of rodents used in research. It is important to screen for potentially pathogenic viruses, parasites, and bacterial organisms to detect and rapidly respond to unwanted pathogens that may adversely affect research...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Murphy, S., Fortner, J., Adusumilli, S. 2014. A comparison of soiled bedding densities and stress in sentinel mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 609. (Abstract #P225).

Assessment of foraging devices as a model for decision-making in nonhuman primate environmental enrichment

Continued progress to move evidence-based best practices into community and regulatory animal welfare standards depends in part on developing common metrics to assess cost, benefit, and relative value. Here we describe a model approach to evidence-based evaluation and an example...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bennett, A. J., Perkins, C. M., Harty, N. M. et al. 2014. Assessment of foraging devices as a model for decision-making in nonhuman primate environmental enrichment. JAALAS 53(5), 452-463.

The use of lean management principles to enhance a nonhuman primate environmental enrichment program

Sewage back-up and overflows in the rooms of our primate facility initiated an analysis of the factors contributing to the clogging of the drains. An investigation reviewing the materials responsible for the clogging of the drains revealed that the use...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Monts de Oca, N., Diaz, L., McMahen, D. et al. 2014. The use of lean management principles to enhance a nonhuman primate environmental enrichment program. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 580-581. (Abstract #P122).

Effects of group housing on sow welfare: a review

Factors that have been shown to impact the welfare of group-housed sows are discussed in this review. Floor space allowance markedly affects sow welfare. In addition to quantity of floor space, the quality of space is important: spatial separation between...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Verdon, M., Hansen, C. F., Rault, J. L. et al. 2015. Effects of group housing on sow welfare: a review. Journal of Animal Science 93(5), 1999-2017.