Transitional Housing Systems for Broiler Chickens

Transitional and enriched housing systems for broiler chickens aim to bridge the welfare gap between conventional intensive barns and full free-range production while remaining commercially viable.

Key Facts

Conventional broiler housing is typically barren with no enrichment, perches, or natural light access
Transitional systems add minimal cost enrichment including bales, pecking objects, and dim natural light
The Better Chicken Commitment requires environmental enrichment, slower-growing breeds, and reduced stocking density
Slower-growing breeds under Better Chicken Commitment standards have significantly lower leg disorder rates
Consumer demand for higher-welfare chicken has driven major food companies to commit to welfare improvements
Approximately 80 percent of global broiler production still uses conventional intensive systems
Enriched indoor systems can significantly reduce fear, improve gait, and increase activity without requiring outdoor access

Welfare Considerations

The welfare gap between conventional and enriched indoor broiler housing is substantial even without outdoor access. Conventional barns provide no stimulation for exploration, pecking, or perching behavior. Darkness and inactivity reduce natural behavior expression. Enrichment additions costing pennies per bird produce measurable improvements in behavioral diversity and fear response. Slower-growing genetics reduce the leg disorders, heart problems, and respiratory disease that plague fast-growing conventional breeds. Transitional systems provide an economically accessible pathway for producers to improve welfare incrementally while maintaining viability, making them a high-leverage advocacy target for near-term change.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken certified under the Better Chicken Commitment or equivalent welfare standards
Ask fast food chains and retailers about their commitments to improved broiler welfare standards
Support advocacy organizations working to achieve Better Chicken Commitment adoption by major food brands
Reduce chicken consumption or shift spending toward certified higher-welfare products
Share information about the Better Chicken Commitment and what it means for broiler welfare