Providing perches to broiler chickens improves welfare and leg health, though uptake on commercial farms remains limited.
Broilers are widely perceived as non-perching birds, but this is a misconception based on the conditions in which they are kept. Given opportunity, even fast-growing commercial broilers will perch, and doing so provides significant welfare benefits. Perch use strengthens leg muscles and bones, reduces contact dermatitis from wet litter, and provides behavioural diversity. The additional cost of providing perch bars in commercial houses is minimal compared to the welfare gains.