Environmental enrichment in birds: Physical integrity, keel problems and locomotor responses

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment on physical integrity, keel damage and locomotor problems in broiler chickens reared in a controlled environment at different ages. Ninety-six Cobb broiler chicks were used, reared in a controlled environment, with 48 birds for each treatment (T1 = presence and T2 = absence of environmental enrichment) at different ages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks old) during the two production cycles. The use of environmental enrichment influenced the decrease in the percentage of birds with a score of 1, contrary to treatment with no environmental enrichment. Hock burns in broilers showed no difference (P = 0.069) between the presence and absence of environmental enrichment for score 1, so the treatments did not influence the appearance of hock burn score 1 in birds. Dermatitis on the feet of broiler chickens showed no difference (P = 0.0800) between scores 0 and 1 for the presence and absence of environmental enrichment. Dermatitis on the feet of the birds differed (P < 0.0001) between weeks 5 and 6 for scores of 0 and 1; however, in the other weeks, the treatments did not influence this variable. The highest percentage of birds with a score of 1 was observed at week 6, with 38.24% having dermatitis on the feet. The use of environmental enrichment favored a reduction in the score of 1 for plumage cleanliness and lameness in broilers. Hock burn, foot dermatitis and keel damage were not affected by the use of environmental enrichment. Week 6 had the highest percentage of birds, with a score of 1 for all physical integrity variables.