Social Housing & Companionship

Effect of short-term seclusion of sheep on their welfare indicators

Separation from the group is a potent stressor for sheep and may have an adverse effect on animal welfare. Therefore, the present study was initiated to determine the effect of short-term seclusion of sheep on their welfare indicators in terms...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: De, K., Saxena, V. K., Balaganur, K. et al. 2018. Effect of short-term seclusion of sheep on their welfare indicators. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 27, 1-7.

Behavioral patterns of laboratory Mongolian gerbils by sex and housing condition: A case study with an emphasis on sleeping patterns

The behavioral patterns of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) housed individually and in same-sex groups (siblings) were characterized. Gerbils were continuously video-recorded 24 hours (day 1) and 120 hours (day 5) after housing conditions were established (no environmental enrichment was implemented)....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Natural Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: Hurtado-Parrado, C., Cardona-Zea, Á, Arias-Higuera, M. et al. 2019. Behavioral patterns of laboratory Mongolian gerbils by sex and housing condition: A case study with an emphasis on sleeping patterns. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 30, 69-79.

Rabbits: Good Practice for Housing and Care (3rd edition)

This report describes what rabbits need in terms of social housing, enclosure size and type, and environmental enrichment. It also describes potential husbandry-related welfare problems and how to resolve them.

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Research Department, RSPCA. 2011. Rabbits: Good Practice for Housing and Care (3rd edition).

Effect of density and relative aggressiveness on agonistic and affiliative interactions in a newly formed group of horses

Group housing provides horses with social contact, a lack of which is associated with health and behavior problems. Despite the benefits of group housing for horses, horse owners are concerned about aggression and resulting injuries. This study focused on agonistic...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Pierard, M., McGreevy, P., Geers, R. 2019. Effect of density and relative aggressiveness on agonistic and affiliative interactions in a newly formed group of horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 29, 61-69.

The gray matter: Prevention and reduction of abnormal behavior in companion gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

Gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are popular companion birds, particularly noted for their ability to mimic human speech, their intelligence, and longevity. They are also prone to developing abnormal behaviors such as feather damaging behavior. This review explores the current available...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Greenwell, P. J., Montrose, V. T. 2017. The gray matter: Prevention and reduction of abnormal behavior in companion gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 20, 44-51.

Pasturing in herds after housing in horseboxes induces a positive cognitive bias in horses

Horses are kept in various housing systems, for example, with conspecifics in horse pens or singly in horseboxes, with or without pasturing. To provide appropriate living conditions for horses, it is necessary to know in which conditions they feel well...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Löckener, S., Reese, S., Erhard, M. et al. 2016. Pasturing in herds after housing in horseboxes induces a positive cognitive bias in horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 11, 50-55.

The ‘social box’ offers stallions the possibility to have increased social interactions

In order to give individually housed stallions the opportunity to have more social interactions, the Swiss national stud farm investigated a separation wall called ‘social box'. Sixteen adult Franches-Montagnes breeding stallions were housed for 3 weeks in conventional boxes (CB)...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Zollinger, A., Wyss, C., Bardou, D. et al. 2016. The ‘social box' offers stallions the possibility to have increased social interactions. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 15, 84. (12th International Society of Equitation Science (ISES) Conference Abstract)

A new beginning for retired laboratory rabbits

This article describes the rehoming of 10 laboratory female rabbits now living as a group in a private shelter.

Year Published: 2019Topics: Relocation & Transport, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Animal Welfare Institute. 2019. A new beginning for retired laboratory rabbits. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 68(4) Winter, 10-11.

Human infant pants for postoperative protection during social housing of New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Elizabethan collars (E-collars) are commonly used in various species to safeguard healing wounds. However, E-collars inadvertently restrict the expression of normal species-typical behaviors, including coprophagy, self-grooming, and social housing. To maintain social housing in accordance with recommendations in the 8th...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Bartley, K. A., Johnson, C. H. 2019. Human infant pants for postoperative protection during social housing of New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). JAALAS 58(4), 510-516.

Cohousing male mice with and without segmental bone defects

Spaceflight results in bone loss like that associated with osteoporosis or decreased weight-bearing (for example, high-energy trauma such as explosive injuries and automobile accidents). Thus, the unique spaceflight laboratory on the International Space Station presents the opportunity to test bone...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Rytlewski, J. D., Childress, P. J., Scofield, D. C. et al. 2018. Cohousing male mice with and without segmental bone defects. Comparative Medicine 68(2), 131–138.