Pigeon Lab Living Improvements
Hello birdblr!
I’m looking for input on a welfare upgrade project. My university has a pigeon lab for the psychology students to conduct behavior research in. The research itself gives me no welfare concerns, it’s just clicker training and reinforcement schedules in operant chambers. No use of aversives that I’ve seen and everything is overseen by the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee).
Unfortunately however, the living conditions for the birds leaves a lot to be desired (see photo above) They are housed in 24 individual cages, each of which is a 1sqft cube. Wire floor, no perches, no platforms.
In a perfect world, I’d love to build these birds an open-air communal aviary with all the enrichment in the world, but there are obviously constraints. Also I am a student, not faculty, so my power to enact change may be limited in ways I do not anticipate.
Constraints:
Birds must still be useful for behavior research (standardization)
Funding
New enclosures must be low-maintenance
Species/breed appropriate improvements for White Carneau Pigeons
Time (one year)
Space inside the room
COVID19
Resources:
My club, who is already onboard with this idea
A few select faculty members’ support
One intensely passionate ethology major (me)
I will fund this project myself if I have to.
I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I want these birds to have tangibly better lives before I graduate. Here’s my first draft of ideas for new cages.
Ideally I only want to make changes that are species-appropriate, so any advice or design feedback is appreciated!