Husbandry & Management

Advantages and risks of housing changes to improve animal wellbeing in a breeding colony of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Between 1975 and 2014, housing conditions for laboratory-housed marmosets changed dramatically after the introduction of new guidelines designed to improve their care and wellbeing. According to these guidelines, our facility provided marmosets with outside enclosures, switched to deep litter as...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bakker, J., Ouwerling, B., Hedit, P. J. et al. 2015. Advantages and risks of housing changes to improve animal wellbeing in a breeding colony of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). JAALAS 54(3), 273-279.

Characteristics of vibration that alter cardiovascular parameters in mice

We hypothesized that short-term exposure of mice to vibration within a frequency range thought to be near the resonant frequency range of mouse tissue and at an acceleration of 0 to 1 m/s2 would alter heart rate (HR) and mean...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Li, Y., Rabey, K. N., Schmitt, D. et al. 2015. Characteristics of vibration that alter cardiovascular parameters in mice. JAALAS 54(4), 372-377.

Effect of enrichment devices on aggression in manipulated nude mice

Agonistic behavior in group-housed male mice is a recurring problem in many animal research facilities. Common management procedures, such as the removal of aggressors, are moderately successful but often fail, owing to recurrence of aggressive behavior among cagemates. Studies have...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Lockworth, C. R., Kim, S., Liu, J. et al. 2015. Effect of enrichment devices on aggression in manipulated nude mice. JAALAS 54(6), 731-736.

Identifying environmental and management factors that may be associated with the quality of life of kenneled dogs (Canis familiaris)

This paper describes the use of a validated quality of life assessment tool (described elsewhere) to identify environmental and management factors that may affect quality of life in dogs kennelled in rehoming centres. Dogs were allocated to one of the...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Kiddie, J., Collins, L. 2015. Identifying environmental and management factors that may be associated with the quality of life of kenneled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 167, 43-55.

Food enrichment of laboratory beagles: Behavioral benefits and durability concerns

Enrichment can be a key element in stress reduction in domestic dogs in both pet and kennel environments. However, providing enrichment to laboratory dogs can be a means for injury or ingestion of objects. Devices provided as enrichment may not...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Willis, J. K., Ccavara, J. M., Kendall, L. V. 2013. Food enrichment of laboratory beagles: Behavioral benefits and durability concerns. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 608 (Abstract #PS1).

Effects of type of light on mouse circadian behaviour and stress levels

Light is the principal synchronizing environmental factor for the biological clock. Light quantity (intensity), and light quality (type of light source) can have different effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the type of light...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Alves-Simoes, M., Coleman, G., Canal, M. M. 2016. Effects of type of light on mouse circadian behaviour and stress levels. Laboratory Animals 50(1), 21-29.

The effects of witnessing managemental procedures during the light versus the dark phase of the light cycle on behaviour, performance and welfare of laboratory rats

Research has indicated that witnessing managemental procedures are stressful to laboratory rats. Yet there has been little investigation into whether the time of witnessing these procedures affects behaviour and welfare in these animals. Ninety-six rats, representing two batches, were used...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Abou-Ismail, U. A., Mohamed, R. A., El-Kholya, S. Z. 2015. The effects of witnessing managemental procedures during the light versus the dark phase of the light cycle on behaviour, performance and welfare of laboratory rats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 162, 47-57.