All rodents are housed in Individually Ventilated Cage (IVC) systems with ad libitum access to food and water supplied through a central watering system.

Cage Types

• Mice are housed in GM500 or GR900 cages
• Rats are housed in GR1800 cages

All cage types meet EU and national regulatory standards. In most cases, our internal guidelines provide more space per animal than the minimum requirements, supporting welfare and allowing flexible cage‑changing intervals tailored to strain and group size.

Our cages are ventilated using Scanclime air‑handling units, delivering an average of 75 air changes per hour. During dry winter periods, humidity can be adjusted to maintain optimal conditions.

Environmental parameters are kept stable:

• Temperature: 20–24°C
• Relative humidity: 55% (±10%)
• Light cycle: 12/12‑hour light/dark cycle, with lights on at 06:00

Maximum cage density follows regulatory standards and is detailed in the “Number of animals per cage” section.

Rodents receive food and water ad libitum under standard housing conditions.

Food (SAFE):

• SAFE D40: Maintenance diet
• SAFE D30: Breeding diet, also used for weak or severely immunodeficient animals due to its higher palatability and lower crushing resistance

All diets are nutrient‑enriched to withstand autoclavation.

Water:   Provided through an automated Avidity Science system using reverse osmosis (RO) water with added chlorine (0.8–2.0 ppm free active chlorine).

To promote natural behavior and reduce stress, all mice and rats receive a variety of enrichment materials. Animals are housed in social groups whenever possible.

A standard cage includes:

• Bedding: poplar wood granulate (SAFE Select Fine, 2.5–3.5 mm)
• Nesting materials: Comfort Natural and Crinklets Natural from SAFE Enrichment
• Shelter and enrichment: cardboard tubes and houses and aspen wood blocks from SAFE Enrichment

When compatible with breeding or experimental protocols, animals may also receive peanuts, oatmeal, or occasional hazelnuts as food‑based enrichment.

Our standard GM500, GR900, and GR1800 housing packages include comprehensive daily inspection and care, including health checks, cage cleaning, feeding, and watering. 

The animal technicians also support the maintenance of rodent colonies and transgenic lines, including guidance on genetic drift, colony renewal, and backcrossing strategies. Additional services can be arranged as needed. 

For a full overview of available services support, please visit Technical assistance.

To streamline workflows and promote consistent, high‑quality animal care, several breeding‑related procedures are included in our breeding cage packages and carried out by our technical staff. This approach supports smoother workflows and better knowledge of specific services provided while also ensuring uniform handling. 

Included breeding procedures:

• Establishment of breeding pairs
• Birth checks,
• Pre‑weaning euthanasia,
• Weaning
• tick@lab updates

Ear biopsies and animal marking are available as separate services according to the current price list. Samples can be collected in TransnetYX multiwell plates or standard 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes without buffer. Other sampling formats are not supported.

Researchers wishing to use these services are encouraged to contact their assigned animal technician to arrange details. Independent breeding management may still be possible, but does not reduce the cage price.

All colonies of mice and rats are regularly monitored according to official FELASA guidelines. See Health status for further information.