A playroom as novel swine enrichment.
Pigs, intelligent and potentially destructive animals, can present unique challenges to laboratory animal caretakers trying to provide optimal housing and environmental enrichment. The authors developed an enrichment area in their facility for pigs that are neither preparing for nor recovering from surgery. They rotate pigs into the play area for periodic enrichment and socialization.
Casey
Blair
B
SoBran, Inc., National Institutes of Health Animal Center, Department of Veterinary Resources, 16701 Elmer School Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842, USA. caseybla@mail.nih.gov
Abney
Dawn
D
Skoumbourdis
Evelyn
E
Skoumbordis
Evelyn
E
D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D006799:Housing, Animal; D010988:Play and Playthings; D013552:Swine / Q000523:psychology*