Category: Animal Facilities (mice)
Level: Bronze
Author: Millard R., Richards K., Waggott A., Wilson K.
The Impact: <p>Lower overall usage of bedding reduces the quantities of delivery, energy costs inside the facility to dispense it. It also lowers the overall amount required to be produced and used.</p>
Details
Setting and monitoring a pre-set, accurate bedding dispensing system to the lowest allowable ammount (without compromise to animal welfare) has many benefits including consistency between cages and cage changing. To deliver this, a methodology is required that ensures accurate dosing of bedding substrate to each cage. This can be acheived by using an automated system (automatic bedding dispensers) with high dosing accuracy or manually using pre-designed scoops or accurate measuring recepticles. Dosing systems should also be routinely re-calibrated to ensure they are within set tolerances. The use of the correct bedding should also assist with reduced cage change frequency and the benefits that this brings in terms of energy and time savings.
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