Natural Behavior

The effect of rearing environment on feather pecking in young and adult laying hens

Although the rearing period has an important influence on the development of feather pecking in laying hens, few studies have quantified the risk factors operating on commercial farms during this time and identified their long-term impact. Our aim was to...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Gilani, A.-M., Knowles, T. G., Nicol, C. J. 2013. The effect of rearing environment on feather pecking in young and adult laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 148(1), 54–63.

Relationships between beak condition, preening behavior and ectoparasite infestation levels in laying hens

The effects of beak condition on ectoparasite populations and preening in laying hens were investigated. Beak-trimmed and beak-intact caged Hy-Line W-36 hens were infested with either chicken body lice or northern fowl mites using a 2 × 2 factorial design...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Vezzoli, G., Mullens, B. A., Mench, J. A. 2015. Relationships between beak condition, preening behavior and ectoparasite infestation levels in laying hens. Poultry Science 94(9), 1997–2007.

Beak trimming reduces feeding efficiency of hens

The ability of beak-trimmed and intact laying hens to ingest feed pellets was examined by highspeed video filming of feeding birds. The birds were exposed to either a deep layer of pellets or a single layer of pellets. In the...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Prescott, N. B., Bonser, R. H. C. 2004. Beak Trimming Reduces Feeding Efficiency of Hens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 13(3), 468–471.

A review of research in primate sanctuaries

While non-human primate studies have long been conducted in laboratories, and more recently at zoological parks, sanctuaries are increasingly considered a viable setting for research. Accredited sanctuaries in non-range countries house thousands of primates formerly used as subjects of medical...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Ross, S. R., Leinwand, J. G. 2020. A review of research in primate sanctuaries. Biology Letters 16(4), 1620200033.

The underexplored role of chemical communication in the domestic horse, Equus caballus

This work provides an overview of the role of chemical communication in horse behavior and addresses the potential usefulness of this knowledge for management practices and animal welfare. First, we present an outline of the social organization of horses under...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Guarneros, M., Sánchez-García, O., Martínez-Gómez, M. et al. 2020. The underexplored role of chemical communication in the domestic horse, Equus caballus. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 38, 89-95.

The smell of hunger: Norway rats provision social partners based on odour cues of need

When individuals exchange helpful acts reciprocally, increasing the benefit of the receiver can enhance its propensity to return a favour, as pay-offs are typically correlated in iterated interactions. Therefore, reciprocally cooperating animals should consider the relative benefit for the receiver...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Schneeberger, K., Röder, G., Taborsky, M. 2020. The smell of hunger: Norway rats provision social partners based on odour cues of need. PLOS Biology 18(3), e3000628.

Understanding allogrooming through a dynamic social network approach: An example in a group of dairy cows

For gregarious species such as domestic cattle, the social environment is a very important determinant of their welfare and fitness. Understanding the complexity of cows' relationships can assist the development of management practices that are more integrated with the cows'...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: de Freslon, I., Peralta, J. M., Strappini, A. C. et al. 2020. Understanding allogrooming through a dynamic social network approach: An example in a group of dairy cows. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 535.

Where the wild zebrafish are

Journeying into the field to study a model organism in its natural habitats. “Seeing them in the wild and seeing what kind of substrates they are on has really helped inform that for us, and we hope that helps inform...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Neff, E.P. 2020. Where the wild zebrafish are. Lab Animal 49(11), 305–309.

The cotton rat – a new challenge

This poster describes how the Animal Technologists at Envigo adapted their current practices and procedures for a new species at their laboratory: the cotton rat. The paper describes cotton rat biology and behaviour; housing; environmental enrichment; health; dosing and blood...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, Euthanasia, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Ballantine, A., Rodgers, D., Watts, C. et al. 2020. The cotton rat – a new challenge. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(1), 92-95.

The natural behavior debate: Two conceptions of animal welfare

The performance of natural behavior is commonly used as a criterion in the determination of animal welfare. This is still true, despite many authors having demonstrated that it is not a necessary component of welfare – some natural behaviors may...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Browning, H. 2020. The natural behavior debate: Two conceptions of animal welfare. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 23(3), 325-337.