Social Housing & Companionship

Physiology and clinical pathology of laboratory New Zealand white rabbits housed individually and in groups

Rabbits used in the production of antibodies can be housed individually or in groups. This study compared the serum chemistries, antibody production, physiologic plasma cortisol levels, and white blood cell (WBC) counts of female New Zealand White rabbits housed in...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fuentes GC, Newgren J. 2008. Physiology and clinical pathology of laboratory New Zealand white rabbits housed individually and in groups. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 47;35-38.

Successful pair housing of female New Zealand white rabbits

The veterinary staff at our facility has been working to pair house the female New Zealand white rabbits in our training colony. These rabbits range in size, age, and temperament, which can make finding potential partners difficult, especially since all...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fuller, A. 2009. Successful pair housing of female New Zealand white rabbits. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(4), 2-3.

Social housing of nonhuman primates with cranial implants: A discussion

Most respondents agreed that few, if any, problems arise between an established pair ofmonkeys once one or both receive a headcap implantindicating the viability of social housing.

Year Published: 2009Topics: External Bodily Equipment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Truelove, M. 2009. Social housing of nonhuman primates with cranial implants: A discussion. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 48(2), 1-2.

Continuous group housing standard for general toxicology studies as a form of environmental enrichment

Primates, dogs and rodents on general toxicology studies are group-housed.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Dog, Nonhuman Primate, Rodent

Citation: Spratley, M. T., Cork, K. 2009. Continuous group housing standard for general toxicology studies as a form of environmental enrichment. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 117 (Abstract).

Risk factors and remediation of self-injurious and self-abuse behavior in rhesus macaques

Considered signs of decreased welfare--abnormal behaviors such as self-injury and self-abuse among nonhuman primates housed in the laboratory--may put into question the validity and reliability of scientific research using these animals as models. Providing environmental enrichment decreases the incidence of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Rommeck, I., Anderson, K., Heagerty, A. et al. 2009. Risk factors and remediation of self-injurious and self-abuse behavior in rhesus macaques. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 12(1), 61-72.

Retrospective assessment of pair formation in laboratory rhesus macaques: Refining partner selection

Isosexual pairings of caged adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at the Tulane National Primate Research Center are documented in detail. Data deriving from 186 introductions were used to explore variables that may be considered when selecting singly housed individuals to...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Baker, K. C. 2010. Retrospective assessment of pair formation in laboratory rhesus macaques: Refining partner selection. American Journal of Primatology 72(S1), 26-27. (33rd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #4)

Pair-formation in laboratory rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): a retrospective assessment in compatibility testing procedure

Pair housing is widely regarded as one of the most effective methods of ensuring that the psychological and social needs of laboratory primates are met. Potential obstacles of pair housing include risk of fighting and injury, along with a lack...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: West A, Leland S, Collins M, et al. 2009. Pair-formation in laboratory rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): a retrospective assessment in compatibility testing procedure. Am J Primatol. 71 (Suppl. 1);41.

Floor housing rabbits to promote weight loss and species-specific behaviors

Standard rabbit caging offers little in the way of exercise, vertical space for species-typical movements (that is, standing on hind limbs), or ample space for proper social introductions. One commonly used rabbit breed, the New Zealand white, can grow quite...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Mayfield, K. L., Livingston, L. G., Kirby, D. W. 2010. Floor housing rabbits to promote weight loss and species-specific behaviors. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 706-707 (Abstract #P81).

Innovative social rabbit housing

While female rabbits can be safely cohoused, aggression and resulting fight wounds preclude cohousing males. However, males may still benefit from social enrichment. Currently no housing systems provide males a safe opportunity for social interaction. The innovative social housing investigated...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Lofgren, J. L., Wrong, C., Hayward, A. et al. 2010. Innovative social rabbit housing. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 659 (Abstract #PS13).

The effect of mirrors on the behaviour of singly housed male and female laboratory rabbits

It is widely recognised that single housing is detrimental to the welfare of social species. However, some experimental procedures dictate that laboratory animals are housed individually. There is evidence to suggest that, by mimicking social contact, mirrors are beneficial to...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Edgar, J. L., Seaman, S. C. 2010. The effect of mirrors on the behaviour of singly housed male and female laboratory rabbits. Animal Welfare 19(4), 461-471.