Stocking Density

Optimal rearing density for head starting green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758)

While ex situ conservation programs of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758), before release to natural habitats, have been conducted in several countries, the optimal‐stocking density for husbandry has not yet been reported. The optimization of stocking density was...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Kanghae, H., Thongprajukaew, K., Jatupornpitukchat, S. et al. 2016. Optimal?rearing density for head?starting green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758). Zoo Biology 35(5), 454-461.

Long term physiologic and behavioural effects of housing density and environmental resource provision for adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats

There is considerable interest in refining laboratory rodent environments to promote animal well-being, as well as research reproducibility. Few studies have evaluated the long term impact of enhancing rodent environments with resources and additional cagemates. To that end, male and...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & Companionship, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Pinelli, C., Leri, F., Turner, P. 2017. Long term physiologic and behavioural effects of housing density and environmental resource provision for adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Animals 7(6), 44.

Exploration feeding and higher space allocation improve welfare of growing-finishing pigs

Lack of environmental enrichment and high stocking densities in growing-finishing pigs can lead to adverse social behaviors directed to pen mates, resulting in skin lesions, lameness, and tail biting. The objective of the study was to improve animal welfare and...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Vermeer, H., Dirx-Kuijken, N., Bracke, M. 2017. Exploration feeding and higher space allocation improve welfare of growing-finishing pigs. Animals 7(5), 36.

Space use by 4 strains of laying hens to perch, wing flap, dust bathe, stand and lie down

The laying hen industry is implementing aviary systems intended to improve welfare by providing hens with more space and resources to perform species-specific behaviors. To date, limited research has examined spatial requirements of various strains of laying hens for performing...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Riddle, E. R., Ali, A. B. A., Campbell, D. L. M. et al. 2018. Space use by 4 strains of laying hens to perch, wing flap, dust bathe, stand and lie down. PLOS ONE 13(1), e0190532.

A review of factors affecting the welfare of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

In the expanding salmon industry, many farmers use production methods that could result in poor welfare of the fish at various points of their lifecycle. We have reviewed methods used for producing salmon for food with the aim of identifying...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Euthanasia, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Fish, Salmon

Citation: Santurtun, E., Broom, D. M., Phillips, C. J. C. 2018. A review of factors affecting the welfare of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Animal Welfare 27(3), 193-204.

Assessment of housing density, space allocation and social hierarchy of laboratory rats on behavioural measures of welfare

Minimum space allowances for laboratory rats are legislated based on weight and stocking rates, with the understanding that increased housing density encourages crowding stress. However, there is little evidence for these recommendations, especially when considering positive welfare outcomes. This study...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Social Housing & Companionship, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Barker, T. H., George, R. P., Howarth, G. S. et al. 2017. Assessment of housing density, space allocation and social hierarchy of laboratory rats on behavioural measures of welfare. PLOS ONE 12(9), e0185135.

Environmental enrichment and crowding: Behavioral and hormonal effects

Environmental enrichment and available refuge did ameliorate the usual hormonal responses to crowding. [p. 740]

Year Published: 1976Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: Hull, E. M., Kastaniotis, C., L'Hommedieu, G. et al. 1976. Environmental enrichment and crowding: Behavioral and hormonal effects. Physiology and Behavior 17, 735-741.

Effects of social environment on welfare status and sexual behaviour of female pigs: Effects of space allowance

This study examined the effects of housing groups of adult female pigs (6 pigs per group) with a space allowance of 1, 2 or 3 sq.m per pig. .. There was a significant increase in plasma free-corticosteroid concentrations when gilts...

Year Published: 1986Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Hemsworth, P. H., Barnett, J. L., Hansen, C. et al. 1986. Effects of social environment on welfare status and sexual behaviour of female pigs: Effects of space allowance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 16, 259-267.

Effects on productivity and aggressive behavior of laying hens of solid versus wire cage partitions and bird density

The effects of solid metal cage partitions or wire mesh cage partitions and two cage densities (5 or 7 birds/60.9 cm × 35.6-cm shallow cage) on production performance traits, aggressive behavior, and feather covering of White Leghorn layers were assessed...

Year Published: 1987Topics: Housing, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Cunningham, D. L., Gvaryahu, G. 1987. Effects on productivity and aggressive behavior of laying hens of solid versus wire cage partitions and bird density. Poultry Science 66, 1583-1586.

Effect of environmental enrichment and housing density on immune system reactivity to acute exercise stress

Keeping mice in enriched cages rather than barren standard cages seems to enhance immune function. Environmentally enriched mice behave immunologically much like nonstressed animals. Animals in enriched environment showed a less variable, better regulated immune response.

Year Published: 1996Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kingston, S. G., Hoffman-Goetz, L. 1996. Effect of environmental enrichment and housing density on immune system reactivity to acute exercise stress. Physiology and Behavior 60, 145-150.