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Enrichment materials for chickens and turkeys
Modern poultry farming is not just about productivity – animal welfare is an equally important issue that concerns farmers and animal owners alike. A simple but extremely effective measure for healthy and contented animals is the use of enrichment materials for chickens and turkeys.
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Why are toys important for poultry?
Poultry – whether laying hens, broilers or turkeys – naturally have a strong urge to explore and play. In the wild, they spend most of the day pecking, scratching, searching and exploring. In housing systems, these natural behaviors are often limited – which can lead to boredom, stress and undesirable behaviors such as feather pecking.
This is where enrichment materials come in: they offer your chickens and turkeys variety, stimulate their natural instincts and encourage movement and social interaction. They help make the barn an interesting living environment.
Advantages of using enrichment materials for chickens and turkeys
Less stress, greater animal welfare
Meaningful distraction can reduce undesirable behaviours such as feather pecking or cannibalism in chickens and turkeysActive and healthy animals
More exercise and activity promote muscle development, metabolism and the general health of the animalsBetter barn climate
Calmer animals create a more relaxed barn atmosphere and also make your employees' work easierPositive effect on performance and quality
Healthy, contented animals often develop better, which can have a positive effect on weight gain, feather quality and productivityWhy is feather pecking a problem in chickens?
Feather pecking is not only a sign of boredom or stress in the coop – it can also have serious consequences for the animals. When feathers are plucked or damaged, bald patches appear, the skin becomes irritated and more susceptible to inflammation. In severe cases, the behaviour can turn into cannibalism, leading to painful injuries or even the death of individual animals. In addition to the health risks for the animals, feather pecking also has economic disadvantages: poorer feather quality, higher feed consumption and an overall restless, stress-prone flock. That is why it is so important to prevent feather pecking in chickens through targeted measures such as providing enrichment materials and redirecting the animals' natural behavioural urges in a meaningful way.:format(webp))
Chicken paper – a good start in life
In the first few days of life, chicks need special support to quickly find food and water and settle into their new environment. This is where chick paper comes in: it is laid out on the floor of the coop immediately after the chicks are placed there and sprinkled with feed. The uniform rustling sound and light-coloured surface encourage the chicks to actively search and peck.
Advantages:
- The chicks eat more quickly and evenly, which can reduce growth deficits.
- It keeps them occupied and promotes natural searching and pecking behaviour.
- After a few days, the paper can be easily removed along with any leftover feed – practical and hygienic.
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Alfalfa, straw pellets and pecking stones – natural variety in the coop
Materials such as alfalfa, straw pellets and pecking stones have proven particularly effective in providing more variety and activity for chickens and turkeys in the coop. These activity materials ensure that poultry remain more active, balanced and healthy. Read more about the various benefits here:
Frequently asked Questions
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