Rattling the cage: Behaviour and resource use of mice in laboratory and pet cages

IF 2.2 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Applied Animal Behaviour Science Pub Date : 2024-09-01 DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106381

Michelle Gygax , Milena Sanches Fortes , Bernhard Voelkl , Hanno Würbel , Janja Novak

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Abstract

Conventional housing for laboratory mice limits the expression of species-specific behaviours and restricts the control over their environment, thus failing to guarantee the animals’ welfare. To better understand the behaviour and resource use of laboratory mice, we housed mice (n = 64) of two common laboratory strains (C57BL/6 and Swiss), both sexes and two group sizes (3 and 5) in large extensively enriched pet cages and conventional laboratory cages, respectively, and assessed their behaviour, resource use, and space use under these different housing conditions. Mice in pet cages showed more running, mostly on the running disc, and other locomotor behaviour, but also spent much time hidden in deep bedding, while mice in conventional laboratory cages climbed more on the cage grid, reared more and exhibited more stereotypic behaviour. Our findings emphasize the significance of a proper substrate for shelter, as well as other resources that facilitate species-specific behaviour.

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笼子里的摇铃实验室和宠物笼中小鼠的行为和资源利用

实验室小鼠的传统饲养方式限制了其物种特有行为的表达，并限制了对环境的控制，从而无法保证动物的福利。为了更好地了解实验鼠的行为和资源利用情况，我们将两种常见的实验鼠品系（C57BL/6和瑞士鼠）的小鼠（n = 64）分别饲养在经过广泛强化的大型宠物笼和传统实验笼中，并评估了它们在不同饲养条件下的行为、资源利用和空间利用情况。宠物笼中的小鼠表现出更多的奔跑（主要是在跑盘上奔跑）和其他运动行为，但也花了很多时间藏在深层垫料中；而传统实验室笼中的小鼠则在笼格上攀爬得更多，饲养得更多，并表现出更多的刻板行为。我们的研究结果表明，适当的栖息基质以及其他有助于物种特定行为的资源非常重要。

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来源期刊

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 农林科学-行为科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

21.70%

发文量

191

审稿时长

18.1 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal publishes relevant information on the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals. Topics covered include: -Behaviour of farm, zoo and laboratory animals in relation to animal management and welfare -Behaviour of companion animals in relation to behavioural problems, for example, in relation to the training of dogs for different purposes, in relation to behavioural problems -Studies of the behaviour of wild animals when these studies are relevant from an applied perspective, for example in relation to wildlife management, pest management or nature conservation -Methodological studies within relevant fields The principal subjects are farm, companion and laboratory animals, including, of course, poultry. The journal also deals with the following animal subjects: -Those involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearing animals -Those in ANY form of confinement, e.g. zoos, safari parks and other forms of display -Feral animals, and any animal species which impinge on farming operations, e.g. as causes of loss or damage -Species used for hunting, recreation etc. may also be considered as acceptable subjects in some instances -Laboratory animals, if the material relates to their behavioural requirements