Broiler Enrichment: Welfare Science and Implementation

Key Welfare Considerations

• Broilers in conventional systems spend up to 80% of time lying — welfare enrichment increases activity significantly.
• Perches in broiler houses improve welfare leg health through increased bone density and reduced contact dermatitis.
• Bale of straw provision stimulates welfare foraging and exploration behaviours in broiler groups.
• Pecking blocks and novel objects provide welfare behavioural stimulation beyond substrate alone.
• Natural light provision through windows reduces welfare stress responses and improves circadian welfare.
• 8 hours dark period per day is welfare-supported by science — enabling rest and circadian welfare.
• Water features including misters and drip systems stimulate welfare drinking behaviour.
• Environmental complexity through ramps, obstacles, and elevated platforms increases welfare activity.
• Better Chicken Commitment signatories require meaningful welfare enrichment as standard.
• Welfare research shows enriched broilers walk more, have fewer hock burns, and better welfare scores.
• Dust bathing motivation in broilers — wire-covering litter leads to vacuum dust bathing welfare sign.
• Litter quality for dust bathing welfare requires dry, loose substrate throughout the house.
• Feeder height adjustment as birds grow maintains welfare access and reduces competition.
• Supplementary light sources encourage exploration welfare in darker house areas.
• Welfare enrichment investment return includes reduced medication costs and improved welfare certification market access.