Keywords: Enrichment

Grooming Cattle with Brushes: A Review of Benefits, Influencing Factors, and Monitoring Opportunities

Habeeb Muraina, Borbala Foris

Published in 2026

A review of the literature shows that scratching posts are widely used by cattle and contribute to hygiene and possibly to welfare. Their use could serve as an indicator of welfare, but results vary depending on the animals’ health status, environment, and individual characteristics.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Scientific review / Summary

Keywords: Enrichment, Well-being indicator, Health / Diseases

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Bored birds? Researchers are exploring boredom as a potential welfare concern in poultry

Chloe Phelps, Virginia Tech, Leonie Jacobs

Published in 2026

An article describing boredom in poultry. Linked to a lack of stimulation, it could pose a welfare issue for poultry raised in poorly enriched environments.

Document types: Scientific documents

Categories of animals: Scientific article

Keywords: Emotion, Enrichment

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The pain echo chamber: how barren environments amplify pain in captive animals

Schuck-Paim C, Alonso WJ, Hartcher K, Chiang C, Pereira PA, Veit W, Mendl M, Nicol CJ, and Lecorps B

Published in 2026

Article demonstrating that poor and cramped housing conditions can exacerbate pain and delay healing in animals. These findings underscore the importance of taking into account the environment created by an animal's housing when assessing and managing animal welfare.

Document types: Scientific documents

Categories of animals: Scientific article

Keywords: Pain, Enrichment, Housing

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Brushing as Environmental Enrichment in Dairy Cattle: Effects of Different Brushing Modalities on Behavior, Health, and Production

Maciel-Torres, S.P.; Ruiz-González, A.; Orzuna-Orzuna, J.F.; Arenas-Báez, P.; Garay-Martínez, J.R.; Granados-Rivera, L.D.

Published in 2026

Study showing that the use of brushes for dairy cows improves their welfare and can assist in health monitoring. The effects on milk production vary.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Scientific review / Summary

Keywords: Enrichment, Health / Diseases, Stress

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The first evaluation framework based on the one welfare concept in extensive broiler rearing systems

Rocchi, L., Mattioli, S., Collin, A. C., Bonnefous, L., Warin, F., Tuyttens, P., Thobe, M., Re, C., Castellini

Published in 2026

A study testing a "One Welfare" approach to jointly assess animal, human, and environmental well-being in extensive broiler farming. It reveals benefits (e.g., plant-based enrichment) that are often underestimated by traditional methods.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Keywords: Ecology / Environment, Enrichment, Well-being indicator, Housing, One Welfare

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Effect of scattering black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as litter enrichment on the growth performance, gut development, and active behavior of fast- and slow-growing broilers

Chris Onuoha, Ashraf Alkhtib, Dawn Scholey, Emily J. Burton

Published in 2026

A study showing that spreading insect larvae on the litter as an enrichment strategy stimulates activity in fast-growing chickens without affecting their performance, suggesting benefits for their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Keywords: Nutrition, Enrichment

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Do windows matter in poultry housing? What welfare and behavior tell us

Tarek Youssef

Published in 2026

Scientific review highlighting that natural light improves behavior and reduces fear in poultry, but that its effects on their health remain unclear.

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Emotion, Enrichment, Well-being indicator, Housing, Health / Medical conditions

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An updated review on the effect of lighting on broilers and the environment of commercial houses

J. E. Linhoss, O. B. Falana, J. D. Davis, J. L. Purswell, C. M. Edge, H. A. Olanrewaju, B. I. Baker-Cook, C. Hanlon

Published in 2025

Article reviewing the effects of lighting (color, intensity, duration, source) on broiler performance and welfare between 2018 and 2024.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing

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Assessing the impact of a human behaviour change intervention to reduce owner-related barriers to interactive cat play

Mikel Delgado, Ellen Marcinkiewicz, Paul Rhodes, Sarah LH Ellis

Published in 2025

Surveys conducted before and after a digital educational campaign to encourage cat owners to play more often with their pets with a wand toy by removing or reducing several of the barriers identified in the COM-B model (capability, opportunity and motivation). Following the campaign, 35.3% of participants increased the frequency of play, and capability and motivational barriers were reduced, leading to a reduction in behavioral problems in their cats.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Felines

Keywords:Education, Enrichment, Human-animal relationships

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Lighting quality evaluation on growth performance and feather pecking behavior of broilers

Chenghao Pan, Rong Xiang, Jinming Pan

Published in 2025

Study examining the effect of light color on the pecking behavior and growth of Youhuang broilers. Although light did not influence growth, the cold white light group showed more severe plumage damage and lower serotonin levels than the warm white or red light groups. Warm white light is recommended, as it is more user-friendly and limits pecking.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Behavioural disorders

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