Barley, J., Francis, R., Van Loo, P. et al. 2006. Do mice benefit from prefabricated dwellings? A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 5(1), 13-15.

I conclude from our discussion that commercial prefabricated dwellings for mice are useful only if they are made of GLP-accepted material that the animals can readily gnaw and convert into nesting and bedding material. Since mice have a biologically inherent need and show a strong preference to build their own nests, it is advisable to provide the animals with suitable nesting material, such as paper tissues or re-used autoclaved paper pulp products, rather than enclosed plastic structures that are not only relatively expensive but also require some nesting material to make them habitable for the animals.