• Corpus ID: 31733566

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

@article{Fischer2007BehaviourOG,
  title={Behaviour of golden hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ) kept in four different cage sizes},
  author={K. Fischer and Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich and Andreas Steiger},
  journal={Animal Welfare},
  year={2007},
  volume={16},
  pages={85-93}
}
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 cm 2 , 2,500 cm 2 , 5,000 cm 2 , and 10,000 cm 2 . Enrichment items and litter depth were standardised and all cages were equipped with a running-wheel (30 cm diameter). Stereotypic wire-gnawing, usage of… 
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