Providing environmental enrichment to broiler chickens improves welfare outcomes by enabling natural behaviours and reducing the incidence of health problems. Enrichment is one of the most cost-effective welfare improvements available in intensive poultry systems.
Barren broiler environments prevent natural behaviours including perching, dustbathing, and foraging, causing frustration and restricting positive welfare states. Reduced activity in barren environments contributes to poor leg health and higher rates of contact dermatitis. Enrichment that increases activity also improves cardiovascular fitness, reducing the cardiovascular disease risk associated with fast growth. The welfare benefit of relatively inexpensive enrichment is well-documented and represents one of the most cost-effective improvements available without requiring changes to stocking density or breed.