A Practical Approach to Providing Environmental Enrichment to Pigs and Broiler Chickens Housed in Intensive Systems

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In many countries, pigs and broiler chickens are housed in intensive systems. Pigs live on concrete floors and straw is not provided. Non-straw enrichments may not be as effective as straw, but they may improve the lives of millions of animals. In many countries, large retail and restaurant buyers have been major drivers of improvements in animal welfare. They used their economic influence to enforce basic welfare standards on farms. They have also been effective at improving animal welfare in slaughter plants. Buyers were often motivated by pressure from animal rights activists to address the issue of animal welfare. On farms, there are two types of welfare programs. They are specialized high welfare niche programs and supply chain programs that maintain basic standards for large commercial farms. This paper will emphasize research literature on practical environmental enrichments for pigs and broiler chickens that will be easy to implement. Pigs prefer enrichment objects that they can chew up and deform. Effective enrichment objects for broiler chickens are peck stones, ramps, platforms, and gradient lighting. It is essential to choose enrichments that the animals will actively engage with. ABSTRACT: In Europe, regulations contain guidance to maintain high standards of animal welfare. In many parts of the world, large buyers for supermarkets or restaurants are the main enforcers of basic animal welfare standards. They can have considerable influence on improving standards on large commercial farms. Research clearly shows that straw is one of the most effective environmental enrichment for pigs. On some large farms, there are concerns that straw will either clog waste management systems or bring in disease. This paper contains a review of both scientific research and practical experience with enrichment devices that are easy to implement. Pigs prefer enrichment objects that they can chew up and deform. Broiler chickens prefer to climb up on objects, hide under them or peck them. It is always essential to uphold basic welfare standards such as animal cleanliness and low levels of lameness (difficulty walking). It is also important to reduce lesions, and maintain body conditions of breeding animals. An environment enrichment device is never a substitute for poorly managed facilities. It should enhance animal welfare on well-managed farms.