Effect of Environmental Enrichment on the Behavior and Welfare of Japanese Broilers at a Commercial Farm

The effect of hay bales and perches as environmental enrichment material was investigated on the behavior, heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, footpad dermatitis (FPD), and productivity of Japanese broilers in a commercial farm. About 21,500 birds were allocated to 4 houses: male versus female×control versus treatment house. We observed maintenance behavior, the utilization of hay bales and perches, and the H/L ratio of birds at 3, 5, and 8 weeks of age. FPD was scored and productivity was calculated at about 60 days after hatching. Compared to birds in the control houses, birds in the treatment houses invested more time in stand-resting and moving behaviors (P