Environmental enrichment for farm animals is increasingly evidence-based, with documented benefits for welfare across pig, poultry, and cattle systems.
Barren environments deny farm animals the ability to perform species-typical behaviors causing chronic frustration. Tail biting in pigs, feather pecking in chickens, and stereotypies in cattle all indicate insufficient environmental stimulation. Enrichment reduces injurious behaviors reducing economic losses and improving individual welfare simultaneously. Species-appropriate enrichment requires understanding natural behavior repertoires that intensive systems prevent.