Environmental Enrichment for Commercial Broilers

Even within current commercial broiler production systems, enrichment can significantly improve welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Straw bales in broiler sheds significantly increase activity and exploratory behaviour
Pecking blocks and hanging objects reduce injurious pecking by providing alternative targets
Natural light access improves broiler activity levels and reduces fear responses
Perch access from early life improves leg strength and bone density in broilers
Higher activity levels in enriched birds are associated with better leg health outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Commercial broiler production can be improved significantly through enrichment provision within current housing systems. Straw bales encourage activity, foraging, and perching. Natural light reduces fear responses. Pecking enrichment reduces injurious pecking. These improvements are achievable within standard commercial sheds without structural change, making them cost-effective welfare improvements. Progressive producers and certification schemes are increasingly requiring enrichment provision as standard.

What You Can Do

Support welfare certification schemes requiring enrichment in broiler housing
Choose chicken from producers with documented enrichment provision
Advocate for enrichment requirements in commercial broiler welfare standards
Learn about the welfare benefits of enrichment through published research
Understand that enrichment alone does not overcome the fundamental problems of fast-growing genetics