Broiler chickens raised for meat are rarely provided enrichment, leaving billions of birds unable to express natural behaviors like dustbathing, perching, and foraging throughout their short lives.
Broiler chickens face a fundamental welfare challenge: their bodies grow so rapidly that normal behavior becomes physically difficult within weeks of life. By slaughter age of 42-47 days, many birds experience chronic leg pain and cardiac stress. Even when enrichment is provided, birds that cannot stand comfortably cannot access it. The solution requires addressing genetics — selecting for slower growth and better leg health — alongside environmental improvements. Consumer and regulatory pressure for higher-welfare broiler breeds represents one of the most impactful opportunities in farm animal welfare.