Social Housing & Companionship

The lasting impact of social isolation: Behavioral insights from former pet and entertainer chimpanzees in a sanctuary in Spain

Human fascination with chimpanzees has driven extensive research on the species, but also led to exploitation by private owners and entertainment industries. These animals often suffer species-specific inadequate conditions, which can result in the development and display of abnormal behaviors...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Chen, E., Pipolo, G., Crailsheim, D. et al. 2025. The lasting impact of social isolation: Behavioral insights from former pet and entertainer chimpanzees in a sanctuary in Spain. American Journal of Primatology 87(1), e23715.

Evidence of stable preferential affiliative relationships in the domestic pig

Affiliative relationships are well documented in a wide range of wild animals. However, there is limited evidence of their existence in social farm animals, despite potential significant animal welfare implications. We aimed to determine whether pigs have preferential partners for...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Clouard, C., Foreau, A., Goumon, S. et al. 2024. Evidence of stable preferential affiliative relationships in the domestic pig. Animal Behaviour 213, 95–105.

The use of guanfacine to mediate anxiety-related reactivity and reduce associated agonistic behavior in two pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

Guanfacine, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, has been used to successfully treat self-injurious behavior in nonhuman primates, including macaques (Macaca mulatta) and baboons (Papio anubis). It does so by facilitating a correction to the dopaminergic system that mediates a reduction in impulsivity...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hopper, L. M., Allen, J. V., Huynh, V. et al. 2024. The use of guanfacine to mediate anxiety-related reactivity and reduce associated agonistic behavior in two pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Comparative Medicine 74(3), 186–194.

The impact of cage dividers on mouse aggression, dominance and hormone levels

Home cage aggression in group-housed male mice is a major welfare concern and may compromise animal research. Conventional cages prevent flight or retreat from sight, increasing the risk that agonistic encounters will result in injury. Moreover, depending on social rank,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Streiff, C., Herrera, A., Voelkl, B. et al. 2024. The impact of cage dividers on mouse aggression, dominance and hormone levels. PLOS ONE 19(2), e0297358.

Cage enrichment to minimize aggression in part-time group-housed female breeding rabbits

In most rabbit farms, breeding does kindle and nurse their kits in single-litter cages throughout their entire reproduction cycle. However, the protective behavior can lead to aggressive displays and injuries when the does are housed in groups. This study aimed...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Van Damme, L. G. W., Ipek, N., Verwaeren, J. et al. 2024. Cage enrichment to minimize aggression in part-time group-housed female breeding rabbits. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

Improved memory and lower stress levels in male mice co-housed with ovariectomized female mice

Aggressiveness, expressed by fighting, is a frequent problem in group-housed laboratory male mice and results in increased stress, injury, and death. One way to prevent fighting is by pairing the male mice with ovariectomized female mice to provide a compatible...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wikanthi, L. S. S., Forsström, J., Ewaldsson, B. et al. 2024. Improved memory and lower stress levels in male mice co-housed with ovariectomized female mice. Animals 14(10), 1503.

Effects of the individual and pair housing of calves on long-term heifer production on a UK commercial dairy farm

Pair housing of pre-weaning dairy calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts on their growth, health and behaviour, but longer-term effects on production are still relatively unknown. This study followed a cohort of 431 Holstein heifers, recruited from a single UK...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Mahendran, S. A., Wathes, D. C., Booth, R. E. et al. 2024. Effects of the individual and pair housing of calves on long-term heifer production on a UK commercial dairy farm. Animals 14(1), 125.

Life in a fishbowl: Space and environmental enrichment affect behaviour of Betta splendens

The public has expressed growing concern for the well-being of fishes, including popular pet species such as the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). In captivity, male Bettas behave aggressively, often causing injuries and death if housed together. As a result,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Oldfield, R. G., Murphy, E. K. 2024. Life in a fishbowl: Space and environmental enrichment affect behaviour of Betta splendens. Animal Welfare 33, e1.

Early-life contact with non-maternal adult cows and a pasture-based rearing environment influence behavioural responses of dairy heifers to novelty

The complexity experienced in early life can affect trait development of individuals, including sociability and fearfulness. The modern dairy calf's rearing environment often lacks environmental and social complexity. This study examined the effects of early-life, non-maternal adult contact and access...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Field, L., Hemsworth, L., Jongman, E. et al. 2024. Early-life contact with non-maternal adult cows and a pasture-based rearing environment influence behavioural responses of dairy heifers to novelty. Animal Welfare 33, e18.

Social stability via management of natal males in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Keystone individuals are expected to disproportionately contribute to group stability. For instance, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) who police conflict contribute towards stability. Not all individuals' motivations align with mechanisms of group stability. In wild systems, males typically disperse at maturity...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Pritchard, A. J., Beisner, B. A., Nathman, A. et al. 2024. Social stability via management of natal males in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 27(2), 408–425.