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Multifunctional elevated platforms for improving thermoregulation, litter quality and welfare in broiler chickens
Bassem Khalfi1, Kobe Buyse2, Camila Lopes Carvalho3
1Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke-Melle, Belgium.
Poultry Science
|February 25, 2026
Summary
Multifunctional elevated platforms improved broiler welfare, reducing footpad dermatitis and fearfulness, especially under heat stress conditions. These platforms offer significant animal welfare benefits in intensive broiler production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Science
- Animal Welfare
Background:
- Elevated structures are underutilized environmental enrichment in broiler production.
- Potential benefits include avoiding soiled litter and supporting natural behaviors like resting and perching.
- Multifunctional platforms were developed with manure collection, cooling, and dark shelter features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of multifunctional elevated platforms on broiler welfare indicators.
- To assess effects under both thermoneutral and heat stress conditions.
- To analyze the influence on litter quality and bird health and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Three production rounds with 560 male Ross 308 broilers each, reared for 43 days.
- Pens were either enriched with platforms or barren, in thermoneutral and heat-stressed compartments.
- Heat stress induced (32°C for 6h/day, d29-40); litter quality, bird health (plumage, feet, hocks), and fearfulness were assessed.
Main Results:
- Platforms improved subjective litter scores (grower phase) and plumage cleanliness.
- Under heat stress, platforms reduced footpad dermatitis and hock burns.
- Enriched pens decreased fearfulness in broilers (human avoidance, novel object tests).
Conclusions:
- Multifunctional platforms enhance broiler welfare, particularly under heat stress.
- Platforms improve bird health and reduce fear, despite limited impact on objective litter quality.
- These enrichments are valuable for intensive broiler production systems.
