Environmental enrichment for meat chickens is increasingly recognized as essential for welfare, with evidence that enriched environments improve health and reduce suffering.
Broiler chickens in barren environments spend most of their time sitting, which compounds the leg problems caused by fast-growing genetics. Providing perches encourages movement, strengthening leg muscles. Pecking objects satisfy foraging drives and reduce inactivity. Natural light regulates circadian rhythms that support immune function. Research shows that enriched broiler environments reduce welfare problems without the productivity losses initially feared, suggesting that enrichment and efficiency are more compatible than often assumed.