Preference test

A preference test is an experiment in which animals are allowed free access to multiple environments which differ in one or more ways.

Statistical testing is used to determine whether observed differences in such measures support the conclusion that preference or aversion has occurred.

Prior to testing, the animals are usually given the opportunity to explore the environments to habituate and reduce the effects of novelty.

A famous example of this simple method is an investigation of the preferences of chickens for different types of wire floor in battery cages.

In this sort of test, the choice involves some "cost" to the animal, such as physical effort (e.g., lever pressing, weighted door).

A radial arm maze allowing animals to choose between 8 variants (e.g. food) that would be placed at the end of each arm