Unique operant animal behavioural complex

QASP features a state of the art animal behavioural complex with rooms in a hexagon design orientation based on Dr BF Skinner’s theories of operant conditioning. This complex facilitates preference testing and has a central neutral cell surrounded by six outer cells that can all be linked to each other.

Differing conditions can be created in each room and once this complex is completed animals will be able to select each room by electronic lock selection which can provide valid information about preferences or aversions towards specific housing conditions. Examples of experiments most regularly undertaken in this complex include preference testing of food types, preferences to different sounds played in each cell, different light intensities can be tested, and future development will involve the capacity to preference test different climatic conditions. A wide range of smaller livestock can utilise the complex such as sheep, pigs, calves, and chickens.

The cells are linked to an outside holding yard which facilitates easy loading and transport. Animals can also have access to the outside yard during experimental trials which can be modified to suit experimental design requirements.

Usage of cells will be able to be automatically logged using the Dynalite control system. Dynalite is the world's finest lighting control system that is tried and tested in more than 30,000 projects implementing some of the largest and most extensive control networks around the globe.