Gerber, E. et al.: Housing influences research results and animal welfare in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus): The influence of size and structure of shelters on the behaviour

Esther Gerber; Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich; Evelyne M. Vonlanthen, Katerina Fischer, Andrina R. Hauzenberger; Andreas Steiger: Housing influences research results and animal welfare in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus): The influence of size and structure of shelters on the behaviour.
In: Housing: Socioeconomic, Availability & Development Issues ©2008 Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Link: http://www.tierschutz.vetsuisse.unibe.ch/unibe/vetmed/housing/content/e9361/e9372/e90449/e90479/files90485/Gerber-Commentary_ger.pdf

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ABSTRACT

Since 80 years golden hamsters have been kept as laboratory animals and pets in large numbers; captive hamsters now outnumber wild conspecifics. In our experimental studies we addressed the following aspects of housing and how they could influence research with golden hamsters and the welfare of laboratory and pet hamsters. 1. Thirty female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were provided with three different shelter types (small, large undivided and large divided) and were observed for their favoured sleeping place and where they placed food, urine and faeces. In addition, their tunnel building was registered. Once a week for five weeks, each shelter and cage was examined and cleaned afterwards. The hamsters slept inside the shelter without exception. Hamsters in all three groups preferred to sleep in areas away from the entrance hole and animals with large divided shelters avoided the front compartment. Shelters were also used frequently for food storing and urination. Hamsters in small shelters urinated significantly more often additionally or exclusively outside the shelter than those in large divided shelters. Food and urine at the same place was found most often in large divided shelters. In comparison with the large undivided shelters, the hamsters with large divided shelters built fewer and shorter tunnel systems. This study demonstrates that golden hamsters use the shelter, whatever structure it has, above all for sleeping, but also for urinating and food storing. This experiment contradicts the expectation that hamsters, which have a shelter with two compartments, may separate the places for sleeping, urinating and hoarding their food. 2. Running wheel: Female golden hamsters were kept with large functional or non functional running wheels and their behaviour and lifetime reproductive success was examined. Females with functional wheels had significantly larger litters and showed significantly less stereotypical wire-gnawing than females with non-functional wheels. 3. Cage size: Female hamsters were kept in four different cage sizes (1800 cm2 up to 10000 cm2). Those in the small cages gnawed significantly longer and more frequently at the wire than females in larger cages. 4. Depth of bedding: Male golden hamsters were kept in cages with 80, 40, or 10 cm deep wood shavings. Hamsters kept with 10 cm deep bedding showed significantly more wire-gnawing than those kept in deep bedding and bedding depth influenced the circadian rhythm. Our studies show that various aspects of housing can influence the behaviour of golden hamsters with implications on research and welfare.