Environmental enrichment for broiler chickens significantly improves welfare outcomes, with perches, platforms, pecking objects, and natural light demonstrating measurable benefits even in conventional intensive production.
Broilers in barren environments engage in less walking, show more stereotypic pecking, and have higher rates of hock burn from prolonged sitting in wet litter. Perches increase leg muscle strength in young birds, reducing subsequent lameness risk. Pecking enrichment — straw bales, hanging CDs, or pecking blocks — reduces redirected aggression and provides positive behavioural engagement. Natural light access through windows or roof lights reduces fear responses to sudden movements and improves diurnal activity patterns. Enrichment costs are low relative to production costs and welfare benefits are well-documented.