Laboratory Animal Care Facility (CRC)
Animals per Cage Type
Rationale
Housing is based on the NIH Guide and is intended to provide optimal comfort for the animals involved.
Applicability
This is applicable to the rodents housed in all of the LACF animal facilities.
Exceptions
Exceptions to this Laboratory Animals policy require a written request and subsequent approval by the IACUC or the attending veterinarian. Contact Veterinarian through any LACF staff member: lacf-list@bu.edu or through the LACF office: 617-353-5415. For any additional questions please contact the Director of LACF at 3-5415.
Policy
Animals are to be housed at no more than the maximum density as outlined below for the species, and kinds of caging within the LACF.
MICE - Ventilated Cages
| Number of Animals | |
|---|---|
| Model: Thoren Small cage with 51.7 sq inches floor space | |
| Mice | 4 |
| Mom with new/young litter | 1 |
| Model: Thoren Large cage with 112.9 sq. inches floor space | |
| Mice | 8 |
| Mom with litter | 1 |
| Model: Optimice Floor Space: 75 sq. inches | |
| Mice | 5 |
| Mom with litter | 1 |
MICE - Static Cages
| Number of Animals | |
|---|---|
| Shoebox with floor space of 67 square inches | |
| 15+ to 25 g | 5 |
| >25 | 4 |
| Mom with litter | 1 |
Plastic “Rat” Cages both static and suspended, which have 143 sq. inches of floor space
| Number of Animals | |
|---|---|
| HAMSTERS | |
| <100 g | 4 |
| Mom with litter | 1 |
| RATS | |
| 100+ to 300 g | 4 |
| 300+ to 400 g | 3 |
| 400+ to 500 g | 2 |
| >500 g | 2 |
| Mom with litter | 1 |
| GUINEA PIGS | |
| 300 g or less | 2 |
| More than 300 g | 1 |
*Gerbil not given in either the Animal Welfare Act or its regulations or the "NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Lab Animals"
For mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs
Temperature: 64.4 F to 78.8 F
Humidity: 40-60%
