title: The foraging ball as a quick and easy enrichment device for pigs (Sus scrofa).
abstract: Providing research pigs with enrichment objects can encourage species-typical behavior such as rooting and foraging. The authors gave pigs hard plastic 'foraging balls' that resembled enrichment devices commonly used for nonhuman primates. Holes were custom-drilled into the balls, and animal caretakers filled them with palatable food items such as jellybeans, unsalted peanuts, cereal, Beggin' Strips, primate biscuits and dog biscuits. Staff members suspended the balls from chains in pigs' enclosures, ensuring that toys did not touch the floor. All pigs manipulated the balls and were able to obtain treats that were supplemental to their standard diet. The simple and effective enrichment device was easily incorporated into the daily routines of research facilities, with little disruption to schedules.
authors: SoBran, Inc., and Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of Research Services, NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD. huntsmar@mail.nih.gov
authors: Mary E
authors: ME
authors: Huntsberry
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Charles
authors: Kristina M
authors: KM
authors: Adams
authors: James L
authors: JL
authors: Weed
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005248:Feeding Methods / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*