Environmental enrichment using low walls and perches improves broiler welfare, without compromising productivity

Claudia Helena Ferreira Zago-Dias; Angélica Signor-Mendes; Elisandro Rafael  Dias; Tiago Venturini; Rusbel Raul Aspilcueta Borquis; Irenilza de Alencar-Nääs

doi:10.17268/sci.agropecu.2025.015

Autores/as

Claudia Helena Ferreira Zago-Dias Federal University of Parana, Palotina, Parana, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4748-3591
Angélica Signor-Mendes Federal Technological University of Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6644-1907
Elisandro Rafael Dias BRF – Brasil Foods, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2776-2224
Tiago Venturini Federal Technological University of Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8961-6204
Rusbel Raul Aspilcueta Borquis Federal Technological University of Paraná, Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9393-3202
Irenilza de Alencar-Nääs Paulista University, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0663-9377

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17268/sci.agropecu.2025.015

Palabras clave:

Animal welfare, joint injuries, locomotor problems, zootechnical performance

Resumen

The study evaluated the impact of different environmental enrichment strategies on the performance and welfare of commercially raised broilers. The research, conducted in Paraná, Brazil, involved 690 birds allocated to three types of environments: control, with a low wall, and with a perch. The performance of the birds was monitored through indicators such as feed conversion, live weight (plucked and eviscerated), and cut yields (wing, thigh, drumstick, breast, and back weight). There were no significant differences in feed conversion and yields between the environments, except for wing weight, which was higher in environments with a perch for males. Females raised in an environment with a low wall showed higher live and eviscerated weight, while thigh weight was lower in environments with a perch. Welfare variables, such as Latency to Lie and Fluctuating Asymmetry, showed no significant differences between the environments. However, females in the control and low wall environments had a higher incidence of calluses on their feet compared to those in the perch environment. Joint injuries (Hock Health) did not show significant differences between the types of enrichment. These results suggest that, although environmental enrichment may benefit some aspects of welfare, its impact on broiler performance and joint health needs to be better understood, particularly in relation to the long-term effects of different enrichment types on locomotor health, muscle development, and the prevention of joint injuries. Future studies should focus on the physiological mechanisms behind these effects, including the role of enrichment in reducing stress and promoting more natural behaviors that may influence bone density and joint function.

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