{"id":94,"date":"2020-04-12T18:12:48","date_gmt":"2020-04-12T17:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zoosnippets.com\/?p=94"},"modified":"2021-03-10T22:24:14","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T21:24:14","slug":"6-calendar-strategies-for-enrichment-variation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zoosnippets.com\/post\/6-calendar-strategies-for-enrichment-variation","title":{"rendered":"6 Calendar Strategies For Enrichment Variation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Animals have a natural need for novelty and variation. They have a certain behavioural need to explore their environment and the need for challenges in their lives. However, animals will habituate to novelty when there is no or little variation in it. Eventually, they know how it works, what there will come, and what to expect from the environment and routine. We often talked already about the need for\u00a0variation in enrichment programs<\/a>\u00a0and the need for many different enrichment devices. But variety also needs to be created with the implementation. At home, with your own pet animal, you know exactly what you gave your animal on enrichment. But even then it can be wise to track your enrichment effort. However, when you care for animals in zoos or other facilities with multiple animals, mostly with more caretakers then only yourself, it is crucial to track the enrichment given to ensure a level of variation and record the progress of the enrichment program. So, let’s have a dive into 6 calendar strategies to ensure enrichment variation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTable Of Contents\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
  1. It depends on your enrichment plan<\/a>
  2. 1. The static enrichment calendar strategy<\/a>
  3. 2. The random enrichment calendar strategy<\/a>
  4. 3. The ‘choose between three’ enrichment calendar strategy<\/a>
  5. 4. The category of the day enrichment calendar strategy<\/a>
  6. 5. The check-off enrichment calendar strategy<\/a>
  7. 6. The blank enrichment calendar strategy<\/a>
  8. Food for thought<\/a><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    It depends on your enrichment plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Your calendar strategy depends on your enrichment plan. You first need to determine the need for enrichment variety and the criteria<\/a>, before you can implement a calendar strategy. But not only that. It will also depend on the skills and knowledge your team members have and the involvement and effort your team members make. Some calendar strategies have a high level of ‘freedom’ which enrichment will be given to an animal. When you have a young or inexperienced team, it would be better to limit the freedom to which extent they choose the enrichment items by themself. To give you an extensive overview of the possibilities, we will discuss the different enrichment calendar strategies, in order of no freedom of choice to most freedom of choice: Static calendar; Random calendar; Choose between three calendar; Category of the day calendar; Check-off calendar; And the blank calendar. We also have a look at the needed knowledge & skills and labour intensity (including preparation time, documenting and evaluating). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Static
    Photo source: My Dog Likes (2018)<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    1. The static enrichment calendar strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

         Download: <\/strong>Static enrichment calendar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With this enrichment schedule, you exactly determine which enrichment is given at which moment. There is no freedom for caregivers to make up their own enrichment. This calendar strategy is beneficial when you work with a team that has no to little experience with enrichment and behaviour. If you work with volunteers, it works very well. You still have control over the enrichment given (or what needs to be prepared for the next day). Also, it guarantees that there is a certain variation of enrichment given and especially when you want a variation in enrichment types<\/a>. A disadvantage will be that you need already all the enrichment that is formulated in this schedule. This schedule can be based on a weekly, two-weekly or monthly basis. Furthermore, this calendar strategy has the most potential for enrichment habituation (likewise for the caregivers), because of its steady routine. You have to evaluate the enrichment<\/a> periodically to ensure the enrichment is still enriching (enough).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n