Use Five Domains Before Adding Enrichment
Use the Five Domains model to define the welfare purpose of an enrichment change before implementing it.
Enrichment is a welfare hypothesis. A new item is not automatically a better life. The Five Domains model asks what changed for the animal. Start with the domain Nutrition, environment, health, and behavior are the evidence domains. Mental state is the cautious inference from those conditions. If you cannot say which domain the intervention targets, you are probably managing human impressions rather than animal welfare. Define the mechanism A forage scatter works by increasing search, choice, and species-typical feeding effort. A visual barrier works by creating retreat and social spacing. A training station works by giving predictable control. Mechanism matters…
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