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Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cage sizes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

K Fischer ,
SG Gebhardt-Henrich  and
A Steiger
K Fischer
Affiliation:
Fasanenstrasse 22, CH-4402 Frenkendorf, Switzerland
SG Gebhardt-Henrich*
Affiliation:
Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Bern, Division of Animal Housing and Welfare, PO Box Ch-3001, Bern, Switzerland
A Steiger
Affiliation:
Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Bern, Division of Animal Housing and Welfare, PO Box Ch-3001, Bern, Switzerland
*
* Contact for correspondence and request for reprints: sabine.gebhardt@itz.unibe.ch
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Abstract

Cages for laboratory and pet hamsters are usually small. Using video recordings, the behaviour of sixty female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), housed individually in four different cage sizes, was compared in order to draw conclusions about their welfare. The cage sizes were 1,800 cm2, 2,500 cm2, 5,000 cm2, and 10,000 cm2. Enrichment items and litter depth were standardised and all cages were equipped with a running-wheel (30 cm diameter). Stereotypic wire-gnawing, usage of the provided space, weight gain, and reactions to mild husbandry stressors were used as welfare indicators. Stereotypic wire-gnawing was observed in all cage sizes, but hamsters in small cages gnawed significantly longer and more frequently. There were no significant differences in running-wheel activity. In small cages hamsters made use of the roof of their wooden shelters as an additional platform more often than in big cages, which could suggest that they needed more space. Therefore, the welfare of pet golden hamsters in cages with a minimal ground floor area of 10,000 cm2 seemed to be enhanced compared with smaller cages.

Keywords

animal welfarecage sizegolden hamsterpet animalrunning-wheelwire-gnawing
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , February 2007 , pp. 85 - 93
Copyright
© 2007 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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