Keywords : Housing

Scientific study showing that, while unsuitable housing for pet rabbits is found in the homes of owners of all ages, genders and living standards, certain demographic owner characteristics are more frequently associated with poor housing conditions, creating a useful target audience to improve the welfare of these pets.

CAWF report on chick beak trimming in the UK. It highlights the high level of pain and stress associated with the practice, which interferes with the natural behaviours of foraging, nest-building and interaction with conspecifics. It considers that the reason for the practice, pecking, could be prevented by changes to flock management.

Scientific paper describing the behavioural budget of slow-growing male broilers (S757N) in their social group and usual environment throughout the rearing period, and relating observed behavioural differences in use of space. It shows that foraging (pecking and scratching) can be used as a behavioural predictors of range limits in free-range broilers.

Scientific paper showing that the use of runs by free-range broilers is probably related to the individual exploratory character of the animals. It suggests that individual differences between free-range broilers are present even before access is provided to runs.

Scientific paper investigating the effect of an alternative housing system to improve cognitive resilience and also to promote pig welfare. It shows that the provision of social and environmental enrichments, which better meet the basic needs of the animals, appears to be beneficial to the welfare of pigs overall.

The report reviews the scientific literature aimed at evaluating the welfare of circus animals using the five-domain method and highlights violations in each of the five areas. It proposes that these results should be taken into account in developing strategies to improve the quality of life of wild animals working in circuses.

Scientific paper presenting the results of a survey of pet snake owners on their housing and husbandry practices. It highlights a number of living environments that do not comply with current regulations and proposes that these results should be used to target rearing advice and to draft new manuals for snake keepers.

Scientific review of the potential ethical implications of new information on parrot cognition for their keeping in captivity.

Scientific review analysing the different potential risk factors for chronic stress in group-housed pregnant sows, addressing the mechanisms of chronic and prenatal stress, and identifying research needs on these topics.

Scientific article reporting the results of an international online survey on types of ferret housing and environmental enrichment, including respondents' opinions on their suitability and safety.