Livestock

Environmental Enrichment for Broiler Chickens

Providing environmental enrichment in broiler houses improves activity levels, reduces leg disorders and promotes positive behavioural expression, even in conventional production systems.

Key Facts

Enrichment provision is associated with increased step counts and reduced sitting time in broilers
Elevated platforms, pecking objects and bales reduce dustbathing frustration and activity-linked disorders
Natural light access is associated with better leg health and circadian rhythm regulation
Enriched environments show lower rates of hockburn and footpad dermatitis at inspection

Welfare Considerations

Environmental enrichment addresses multiple welfare domains simultaneously in broiler production. Even simple low-cost interventions such as straw bales, hanging cabbages and natural light provision produce measurable improvements in activity, leg health and fearfulness indicators. Enrichment is a cost-effective complement to breed improvement strategies.

What You Can Do

Support broiler welfare standards that mandate enrichment provision in housing
Look for certification schemes such as RSPCA Assured that require enrichment as a standard
Advocate for natural light access to become a legal requirement in broiler housing
Encourage research into cost-effective enrichment systems for conventional production settings