Broiler chickens live only 35 to 56 days before slaughter. Even within this brief window, environmental enrichment can meaningfully improve their welfare by enabling natural behaviours and reducing chronic stress.
Broiler welfare is constrained both by genetic selection for rapid growth and by the barren environments of most commercial production systems. Fast growth creates chronic leg pain, cardiovascular stress, and respiratory difficulties. Barren environments prevent dust-bathing, foraging, exploration, and social interaction — all natural behaviours that chickens are strongly motivated to perform. Even in short lives, welfare matters: a bird experiencing pain and frustration for 40 days is experiencing 40 days of suffering. Research demonstrates that simple, low-cost enrichments — straw bales, hanging objects, perches — meaningfully reduce fearfulness and improve leg health. Higher welfare standards such as slower-growing breeds, lower stocking densities, and natural light can provide substantially better welfare outcomes.