Enrichment for broiler chickens including perches, pecking objects, and substrate for foraging significantly improves welfare in commercial housing systems.
Broiler enrichment science has demonstrated that simple environmental additions significantly improve welfare indicators in commercial systems. Perches that are used voluntarily by broilers exercise leg muscles and strengthen bones, directly reducing the lameness that causes chronic pain. Substrate enrichment satisfies foraging motivation that conventional litter does not. The welfare evidence for broiler enrichment is now sufficiently robust that it is incorporated into leading welfare certification standards.