Allometric comparison of recommendations of minimum floor areas for laboratory animals.
H. Hackbarth, W. Bohnet and P.-P. Tsai

Institut f�r Tierhygiene und Tierschutz
Tierschutzzentrum der
Tier�rztlichen Hochschule Hannover


Corresponding address:
Prof. Dr. Hansjoachim Hackbarth
Tierschutzzentrum der
Tier�rztlichen Hochschule Hannover
B�nteweg 2
D-30559 Hannover

Summary:
The recommendations for minimum floor area given in the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific purposes (1986) as well as in the Publication on the Planning and Structure of Animal Facilities for Institutes Performing Animal Experiments of the Society for Laboratory Animal Science (GV-SOLAS 1989) are plotted in a double logarithmic system in order to get an allometric function of recommended floor area to body weight. Both recommendations correspond very well with the so called metabolic body weight seen at the allometric exponent of 0.73 and 0.70 respectively. Thus the recommendations in general attribute the floor space according to the metabolic body weight on the animal. Nevertheless knowing this general rule, some species are recommended less space than others when compared on this allometric measure, thus it must be questioned why for example rabbits, chicken and pigs are recommended less space than other species. The general allometric measure seems at least to be a good scale for the comparison of recommended floor space and for the discussion of species specific needs for more or less space.

Key words: floor area, allometry, laboratory animals

Attachment floorword.pdf (42 k)

KAMPHUES, J. (1997): Problems in feeding food producing animals to meet the energy and nutrient requirements as well as to enable animals` well-being
Dtsch. tier�rztl. Wschr. (1997) 105, 117-123
Summary

The efforts in optimizing feeding conditions of food producing animals in the past were focussed primarily on promotion of performance and/or of the products` quality (MEYER 1997). Inspite of great success in this direction various risks occure due to the conflict between the increased requirements on the one hand and the species typical demands on the other hand (for example: need of roughage as well as of concentrates with high energy and nutrient density in ruminants). Especially in feeding high yielding dairy cows the conflict is obvious: Even in the case, that high amounts of concentrates are fed it gets more and more difficult to meet the energy requirement when the milk yield exceeds 40 kg milk per day (FLACHOWSKY a. LEBZIEN 1997). A negative energy balance is accompanied by a forced predisposition for ketosis and infertility (KRUIP 1996).

Insufficient proportions of roughage in those rations predispose the animals for rumen acidosis and associated problems (health of claws a.s.o.) as well as for displacement of abomasum. Thereby in feeding high yielding dairy cows there is only the choice between different risks due to the fact that the feed intake capacity did not increase in the same extent as the milk production did. In fattening calves the use of roughage (in Germany required by law) is on debate in this direction (necessary to avoid disturbances in the behaviour). Further problems in feeding animals according to their species typical demands are related to the established conditions of housing, feeding and water supply (risks of mechanization and automatization due to potential dysfunction). The generally increased feeding intensity results - for example in poultry - in a higher frequency of skeleton diseases; the more and more specialized pig production (separate units for piglet production, rearing units, fattening units) is accompanied by increased changes in diets and techniques of feed and water supply, to that the animals have to be accustomed, too.

The science of animal nutrition gets more and more involved in questions on the species depending requirements that guarantee a physiological development of the animal, health and normal behaviour. There is an increased need to create and evaluate parameters that can be used for characterization animals` well-being related to different feeding strategies. Without any doubts it is a special task to veterinary nutritionists to point out risks, problems, conflicting aimes when the feeding intensity is forced continuously. The slogan "back to nature" is too simple and does not correspond to the complexity of efforts which are suitable and necessary to meet animals` energy and nutrient requirements as well as demands of animals` welfare. Eventually it is helpful to remember sometimes the limits set up by the biology and physiology when feeding intensity or techniques are on debate.

Petra Wolf, Anita Wenger und J. Kamphues (1997): Problems of crude fiber supply in dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla fed as pets

Vortragsabstracts der 10. Arbeitstagung �ber Haltung und Krankheiten der Kaninchen, Pelztiere und Heimtiere, Celle, 14.-15. Mai 1997


Feeding of dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla as pets differs in various respects to the nutrition of economically fed species. Instead of pelleted complete diets pets are fed usually with compound diets based on untreated/native ingredients, that are characterized by high energy but low fiber contents. Furthermore a free choice of ingredients with high palatability (and often high content of energy) is possible (risk of obesity!).
However, dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla are - considering the anatomy and physiology of their intestinal tract - not concentrate eaters but herbivorous animals. The often practised renouncement of hay, straw or other roughage is frequently discussed in relation with different disorders (indigestion, fur chewing, obesity, insufficient attrition of teeth etc.).
Aim of this study was an improvement of the crude fiber supply in above mentioned pets. These crude fiber sources should be characterized by a high palatability and a sufficient structure to meet the requirement of gnawing of these rodents. Besides feed intake (diets were offered ad libitum) time for feed intake as well as palatability and digestibility of different ingredients rich in crude fiber were proved. Furthermore possible differences of the individual species in digestion of roughage were of interest.
In general various results underline advantages of a compound feed with a high content of crude fiber and a sufficient structure (lenght ~ 1 cm), that are combined with ingredients low in energy (to avoid selection, prophylaxis of obesity). Due to this procedure the pets are forced to use their teeth intensively and to be busy with feed intake for a longer time (reduction of behaviour disorders as a result of boredom).

Wolf, Petra (1995): Nutritional problems of natural supply and fulfillment of essential requirements of small rodents as pet animals

Tagungsbericht vom 21. Kongre� der Deutschen Veterin�rmedizinischen Gesellschaft e.V., Bad Nauheim, 21.-24.3.1995, 264-272,

Summary

1. When dwarf rabbits (and similar species) are fed commercial, concentrated feed without supplementation of green fodder or roughage, the requirement of crude fibre is generally not met, while the dry matter intake is increased - presumably as a result of a lack of activity.

2. Growth and attrition of the incisors of small rodents are influenced primarily by feeding. Prophylactic effects on the development of tooth length were observed on the upper incisors when hay or carrots were offered exclusively, and on the lower incisors with pelleted or mixed feed based on natural components.

3. Water intake (and with it the produced urine volumes) is influenced decisively by feeding. Feedstuffs with a high water content lead to the highest water intakes and urine volumes. Offering only a concentrated diet with a high dry matter content the relation between water and feed intake varied between 2 and 2.8 : 1 (ml water per g dry matter); lower values (1 : 1) were observed only in chinchillas. With decreasing water consumption and therefore lower urine values the pets showed a higher concentration of substances usually eliminated by the urine (i.e. calcium).

4. Single-ingredient and mixed feedstuffs for small rodents are also hygienically deficient (contamination with mites or other stored-product pests, as well as fungal pollution) and can lead to illness or to health problems of the owner (allergic reaction to mites or fungi?).

Generally, the feed formulation should reflect the more herbivore (rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas) or omnivore character of the species. Beyond that, the energy density of the feed should be reduced - not only as a precaution against obesity but also in order to lengthen the duration of feed intake (thus increasing activity level) and to increase attrition of the incisors (and to prevent "elephant tusks").

When offered in sufficient quantities, roughage or green fodder is suitable for improving the water intake of these rodents, thus reducing the risk of urolithiasis.