Even within existing broiler production systems, providing environmental enrichment including perches, pecking objects, and lighting programs improves behavioral welfare measurably.
While the fundamental welfare problem in broiler production is fast-growth genetics, enrichment interventions provide meaningful welfare improvements within existing systems. Chickens given perches, space, and natural light exhibit more complex behavioral repertoires and show lower fear responses in standardized tests. These improvements represent real reductions in suffering even while the broader system requires transformation.