Farmed Animals

Play Behaviour in Pigs as a Welfare Indicator

Play in pigs signals positive welfare states and can be used as a practical on-farm welfare indicator.

Key Facts

Piglets in enriched environments play more frequently than those in barren conditions
Play includes running, jumping, play fighting, and object manipulation
Play frequency correlates with other positive welfare indicators including low stress hormones
Absence of play in healthy young pigs indicates poor welfare conditions
Research shows pigs in anticipation of positive events show optimistic cognitive biases

Welfare Considerations

Play in pigs is not merely cute — it is a scientifically valid welfare indicator that signals positive emotional states. Farms where pigs play regularly are demonstrably better welfare environments than those where pigs are inactive and depressed. Monitoring play as a welfare indicator is practical, non-invasive, and scientifically grounded.

What You Can Do

Support welfare certifications that include positive welfare indicators such as play
Choose pork from farms where animals have enrichment and space to play
Advocate for positive welfare state assessments in all livestock welfare monitoring
Support research into practical on-farm play behaviour measurement tools