Poultry enrichment in a research setting (2024)

Scamardo, A.,

Abstract

Poultry, like all purpose bred birds, are one of the handful of animals that are not a covered species by the USDA in a research setting. While there are recommendations for husbandry and care available, there are not many defined guidelines. Facilities housing poultry rely on their own institutional SOPs, which are generally based off Ag Guide recommendations, egg or meat production standards, or adaptations of from covered species. Chickens are highly inquisitive by nature and removing them from their natural outdoor environment to a controlled setting indoors requires some creativity to ensure their needs are being met, and to keep stress levels as minimal as possible, as stress alone can be a lethal adversary. Natural behavior expression should always be a core focus for any species when developing an enrichment program. This allows for an animal's instincts to flourish and allows as much normalcy as a controlled environment can provide. Tensions can run high in enclosed spaces, and instances of fighting, pecking, feather-pulling, and cannibalism can occur in flocks of both mixed genders and same-sex birds. To prevent instances of unwanted behaviors, providing enrichment to allow for pecking, nesting, roosting, playing “keep-away”, dust-bathing, and scratching keep birds feeling safe and natural, and helps build healthier flock dynamics. Building an enrichment program for these birds should cater to species and breeds, as well as ensuring enrichment is age appropriate. What may be ideal for standard breeds of chickens may not be ideal for heavier-set birds, including broilers or turkeys, and items intended for adult birds can be dangerous for chicks and poults. The benefits of integrating a fulfilling enrichment program for poultry can be seen from hatch-to-hen. Birds that feel safe and engaged within their environment will have lower levels of stress, which can contribute to decline in illness, lower mortality rates in both chicks and adults, reduced instances of pecking or cannibalism, healthier dynamics within the flock, and may have a lower necessity for red light intervention (red light filters that deter birds from hyper-focusing on wounds).