Integrating infrared thermography, behavioral assessment, and meat quality analysis to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment in broiler chickens

Abstract

Introduction Environmental enrichment (EE) is used in broiler production to improve welfare, but findings on design preferences, behavior, production, and meat quality are heterogeneous. An integrative approach combining live and postmortem assessments may clarify the EE effects. This study evaluated the effects of different EE models on leg health, behavior, and meat quality in broilers. Methods Three hundred one-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were reared under commercial conditions until 49 days of age (DOA). At 21 DOA, birds were randomly allocated into three blocks (n=100), each containing four groups (n=25): Control, Perch 1 level (Perch 1L), Perch 2 level (Perch 2L), and Platform. Body weight was recorded weekly. The birds’ behavior was assessed at 28 and 42 DOA. Infrared thermography of the left and right intertarsal articulations and plantar surfaces was performed at 21 and 49 DOA. After slaughter, the chickens’ thigh meat was evaluated for texture, pH, color (L*, a*, b*), electrical conductivity (EC), and water-holding capacity (WHC) on days post-slaughter (DPS)) 0, 1, 2, 7, 10, and 15, depending on the parameter. Results EE did not affect final body weight. Thermography showed age-related decreases in superficial temperatures of intertarsal articulations and plantar surfaces; however, Perch 2L showed temperature changes suggestive of lesions. The Platform was the least-used EE, while other behavioral patterns were unaffected. Meat quality differed among groups in pH (DPS 0 and 10), L* (DPS 7), a* (DPS 2), and WHC (DPS 15), particularly between Control and Perch 2L. Differences across storage time were observed for pH (Control, Perch 2L, and Platform), L* (Perch 1L), a* (Platform), EC (Perch 1L), and WHC (all treatments). Discussion EE use declined with age, and preference appeared influenced by design characteristics such as material, height, and dimensions. Perch 2L may have been associated with an inflammatory response, whereas the Platform may have functioned primarily as an obstacle. Perch 2L and Platform improved WHC, potentially indicating differences in muscle development. Overall, EE did not affect live weight, but influenced selected behaviors, leg health, and meat quality, highlighting the need for an integrative assessment when evaluating EE in broiler production.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2026 · DOI ↗