Simple, low-cost enrichments including perches, pecking objects, and natural light significantly improve broiler chicken welfare without compromising commercial viability.
Broiler chickens in bare conventional housing lack opportunities for natural behaviours including perching, dust bathing, foraging, and exploration. Environmental deprivation contributes to fearfulness, reduced activity, and failure to develop normal behavioural repertoires. Simple enrichments including string, perches, and foraging substrate are low-cost interventions shown to improve welfare outcomes. Natural light access and reduced stocking density allow birds to use enrichment features effectively.