scholarly journals Evaluation of a Configurable, Mobile and Modular Floor-Pen System for Group-Housing of Laboratory Rabbits

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 977
Author(s):  
Dana Matzek ◽  
Hanna-Mari Baldauf ◽  
Rico Schieweck ◽  
Bastian Popper
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Animal ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
General Health Status ◽  
Behavioral Requirements ◽  
Species Specific

The major responsibility of researchers and laboratory animal facilities is to ensure animal well-being during the time of acclimatization, experiments, and recovery. In this context, animal housing conditions are of utmost importance. Here, we implemented a mobile and modular floor-pen housing system for laboratory rabbits that combines rabbits’ natural behavioral requirements and the high hygiene standards needed in biomedical science. Twelve female New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were single- or group-housed for 12 months in mobile and modular floor-pens. Their general health status was evaluated at the end of the experimental setup. Further, we performed behavioral analysis of six additional NZW females group-housed for eight weeks in pens of two different sizes. We show that our improved housing concept supported species-specific behavioral patterns. Taken together, our housing system provides an optimal setup for rabbits in animal facilities that combines strict requirements for animal experiments with animal welfare.

scholarly journals Reporting animal use in scientific papers

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane A. Smith ◽  
Lynda Birke ◽  
Dawn Sadler
Keyword(s):  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Accidental Death ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Animal Use

This paper reports the results of an examination of the 'methods' sections of a range of experimental research papers in biomedical science, focusing on the descriptions of animal use and housing. Detailed descriptions in the methods should enable replication, and also enable readers to judge scientific quality. Relatively few papers sampled gave adequate descriptions of housing conditions and many failed to give details of physiologically relevant variables such as weight of animals. Thirty per cent of papers omitted the number of animals used, and the deaths of animals (whether as part of the protocol, or accidental death) were not always recorded. Adequate reporting of the conditions of animal maintenance and use are important, both in relation to the quality of the science produced, and also because of public concerns about the ethics of animal experiments.

scholarly journals Alternative and enriched housing systems for breeding does: a review

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZS. Szendrő ◽  
J.I. McNitt ◽  
ZS. Matics ◽  
A. Mikó ◽  
ZS. Gerencsér
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Semi Group ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Dutch Housing ◽  
Positive Results

The main results and observations on group and individually housed rabbit does were reviewed by Szendrő and McNitt in 2012, but in recent years several new papers in this field have been published. This provides a new opportunity to summarise the current knowledge on alternative housing systems for breeding does. In Switzerland, rabbit does are generally housed in group systems. The recently legislated Belgian and Dutch housing systems will be converted step by step into group housing systems. Recent research demonstrated that with semi-group housing systems much better performance levels are possible than with the Swiss group housing system. However, solutions to eliminate aggression, stress and injuries which are common among rabbit does in group housing systems have yet to be found. Some authors are of the opinion that individual cages are too small and allow limited possibilities for movement and social contact. Positive results were seen when platforms were inserted into the cages and the possibility for movement increased. The does and their kits could jump up and down using the platforms. Using footrests, the incidence of sore hocks declined. Several environmental enrichments which increase the well-being of rabbit does can also be used. These enriched cages (equipped with platforms, footrests, gnawing sticks, etc.) are fully in line with animal welfare requirements. Increasing the size of cages and enriching them increases the production cost and the meat will be more expensive.

scholarly journals PhenoWorld: addressing animal welfare in a new paradigm to house and assess rat behaviour

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda J Castelhano-Carlos ◽  
Vera Baumans ◽  
Nuno Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Affective States ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
International Regulations ◽  
The Brain

The use of animals is essential in biomedical research. The laboratory environment where the animals are housed has a major impact on them throughout their lives and influences the outcome of animal experiments. Therefore, there has been an increased effort in the refinement of laboratory housing conditions which is explicitly reflected in international regulations and recommendations. Since housing conditions affect behaviour and brain function as well as well-being, the validation of an animal model or paradigm to study the brain and central nervous system disorders is not complete without an evaluation of its implication on animal welfare. Here we discuss several aspects of animal welfare, comparing groups of six rats living in the PhenoWorld (PhW), a recently developed and validated paradigm for studying rodent behaviour, with standard-housed animals (in cages of six rats or pair-housed). In this study we present new data on home-cage behaviour showing that PhW animals have a clearer circadian pattern of sleep and social interaction. We conclude that, by promoting good basic health and functioning, together with the performance of natural behaviours, and maintaining animals’ control over some of their environment but still keeping some physical and social challenges, the PhW stimulates positive affective states and higher motivation in rats, which might contribute to an increased welfare for animals living in the PhW.

scholarly journals Oral Health and Psychosocial Predictors of Quality of Life and General Well-Being among Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 582
Author(s):  
Abbas Jessani ◽  
Jonghm Choi ◽  
Abdul El-Rabbany ◽  
Pulane Lefoka ◽  
Mir Faeq Ali Quadri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
General Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
General Health Status ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
Fair Poor ◽  
Dental Conditions

Background: Adolescents’ quality of life is reported to be significantly associated with physical and social wellbeing. Although adolescents are 30% of the Southern African population, no previous studies have focused on this group in relation to oral health and quality of life. Methods: A 40-item survey and clinical oral examinations were conducted in public schools in Maseru from 10 to 25 August 2016. Simple, bivariate, and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate the associations of oral health and psychosocial factors with self-reported general health status and quality of life. Results: A total of 526 participants, aged 12–19 years old, responded to the survey and participated in the clinical examinations. The majority reported a good (good/very good/excellent) quality of life (84%) and general health (81%). Bivariate results showed that self-reported general health in this population was significantly influenced by age. The presence of toothache and sensitivity in the adolescents were significantly associated with poor (fair/poor) self-reported general health and were found to be the best predictors for self-general health and quality of life. Conclusions: The absence of dental conditions such as toothache and tooth sensitivity can lead to a better perception of general health and Quality of Life in adolescents.

scholarly journals A Combined Approach to Predicting Rest in Dogs Using Accelerometers

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 2649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassim Ladha ◽  
Christy Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Combined Approach ◽  
Current State ◽  
Healthy Dogs ◽  
State Of Rest ◽  
Health And Well Being

The ability to objectively measure episodes of rest has clear application for assessing health and well-being. Accelerometers afford a sensitive platform for doing so and have demonstrated their use in many human-based trials and interventions. Current state of the art methods for predicting sleep from accelerometer signals are either based on posture or low movement. While both have proven to be sensitive in humans, the methods do not directly transfer well to dogs, possibly because dogs are commonly alert but physically inactive when recumbent. In this paper, we combine a previously validated low-movement algorithm developed for humans and a posture-based algorithm developed for dogs. The hybrid approach was tested on 12 healthy dogs of varying breeds and sizes in their homes. The approach predicted state of rest with a mean accuracy of 0.86 (SD = 0.08). Furthermore, when a dog was in a resting state, the method was able to distinguish between head up and head down posture with a mean accuracy of 0.90 (SD = 0.08). This approach can be applied in a variety of contexts to assess how factors, such as changes in housing conditions or medication, may influence a dog’s resting patterns.

Cortisol levels and health indicators of sows and their piglets living in a group-housing and a single-housing system

2018 ◽  
Vol 216 ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.G.E. Grimberg-Henrici ◽  
K. Büttner ◽  
R.Y. Ladewig ◽  
O. Burfeind ◽  
J. Krieter
Keyword(s):  
Health Indicators ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Use of space, active and resting behaviour in fattening rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) housed in a combi park system: A case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-506
Author(s):  
S Kimm ◽  
SL Rauterberg ◽  
J Bill ◽  
J Stracke ◽  
N Kemper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Continuous Sampling ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Species Specific

In this case study, a housing system for rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was developed, complying with the new German Welfare Regulation, and evaluated on-farm with regard to the rabbits' behaviour during four fattening periods. The housing system was characterised by the large group size of fatteners (maximum 65 animals per group, 12 animals per m²) due to the merging of six former single units for does and their litters, post-weaning. A large elevated platform, a box with a roof (small elevated platform), a tube and gnawing materials were made available per unit. The aim being to assess the suitability of the housing system for rabbits with regard to animal welfare, based on behavioural analyses. Therefore, the use of space by the rabbits (n = 247) was investigated by video analysis (instantaneous scan sampling) during daytime. Additionally, the individual behaviour of 20 focal rabbits in different locations was assessed by continuous sampling. Results showed that rabbits preferred to huddle together in the outer units in the first weeks post-weaning. The highest animal densities were found under and in front of the large and on the small platforms. The large platforms were visited increasingly from the 10th fattening day onwards. Elevated platforms supported resting and comfort behaviours. Nonelevated open-top areas enabled upright positions and locomotor behaviours. Aggression and stereotypic behaviours rarely occurred. We conclude that the housing system supported species-specific behaviour and seemed to cater for the needs of rabbits in terms of welfare. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to ascertain the effects on animal health and performance.

Contemplating the Five Domains model of animal welfare assessment: UK horse owner perceptions of equine well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-268
Author(s):  
KA Fletcher ◽  
LJ Cameron ◽  
M Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Sentient Beings ◽  
Horse Owners

Traditionally, assessment of animal welfare generally focused on physiological signs of health with less consideration of psychological well-being. More recently, the Five Domains model highlighted the concept of all aspects of an animal's life influencing their affective state. In equestrianism, however, there is a lack of awareness of the Five Domains model and, specifically, how different factors may affect the mental well-being of horses (Equus caballus). This divide between scientific research and lay horse owners could compromise equine welfare by failing to recognise horses as sentient beings with species-specific needs. The present study therefore aimed to explore how evidence-based information can be effectively communicated to equestrians (n = 259) through an online survey and whether increased knowledge of equine welfare needs has any impact on horse caregivers' assessment of their own horses' quality of life. Results showed that a simple educational infographic based on the Five Domains model had a significant impact on equestrians' assessment of equine welfare, although longitudinal, empirical studies are needed. Scores on a Likert scale for health, behaviour/human interactions and overall welfare were significantly lower following the intervention but scores for emotional well-being were significantly higher. This may suggest that, whilst the infographic increased participant awareness of the importance of emotional state and the factors affecting welfare, there were difficulties or inconsistencies in objectively assessing these emotions. This highlights the need for equine welfare science to be communicated more proactively to horse owners in an accessible, engaging format.

scholarly journals Behaviour and skin injuries of sows kept in a novel group housing system during lactation

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 749-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilith Schrey ◽  
Nicole Kemper ◽  
Michaela Fels
Keyword(s):  
Housing System ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Skin Injuries
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