Hickman, M., Miller, L., MacDonald, R. 2023. An assessment of rat hammocks as enrichment. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(3), 221–223.

Research has shown there are numerous welfare and scientific benefits to housing rats in more enriched and environmentally complex housing opposed to conventional housing. With the aim of increasing environmental complexity, providing opportunities for climbing and exploring and providing additional cover, a hammock protoype was designed to implement into the double decker rat cages. The hammock was trialed in a group of female rats to assess durability, impact on behavior and preference over other shelter enrichment items: - tunnels - rat corner homes The number of observed enrichment interactions indicated a strong preference for the bottom tier of the hammock, suggesting the hammock is a successful enrichment item.