Farm Animal Welfare

Chicken Enrichment Block and Pecking Substrates

Enrichment pecking blocks provide cognitive and physical stimulation for confined poultry, reducing injurious pecking and improving welfare.

Key Facts

Laying hens show strong motivation to peck and scratch for food throughout the day
Enrichment blocks containing seeds, grains and herbs provide foraging opportunity
Pecking enrichment reduces rates of severe feather pecking in laying hen flocks
Novelty of enrichment materials affects engagement, requiring regular rotation
Environmental enrichment works best as part of comprehensive flock management

Welfare Considerations

Pecking substrates address the fundamental motivational need of poultry to forage and investigate. While not a substitute for adequate space and management, enrichment blocks are a cost-effective welfare improvement particularly in cage-free systems where birds may otherwise redirect pecking behaviour.

What You Can Do

Support laying hen farms that provide foraging enrichment as standard
Ask egg producers about their enrichment provision and flock welfare management
Choose certified cage-free eggs from farms with documented enrichment programmes