We demonstrate the utility of nest building behavior in laboratory mice as an indicator of welfare. Nest scoring is a sensitive technique that is altered by temperature, illness, and aggression. The time to integrate into nest test (TINT) is a simple cage-side assessment that can detect postoperative pain.
Gaskill, B. N., Karas, A. Z., Garner, J. P., Pritchett-Corning, K. R. Nest Building as an Indicator of Health and Welfare in Laboratory Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (82), e51012, doi:10.3791/51012 (2013).