Farmed Animals

Outdoor Pig Production Welfare

Outdoor pig production offers significant welfare advantages over indoor systems when properly managed.

Key Facts

Outdoor pigs can root, wallow, explore, and socialise in ways impossible in indoor systems
Wallowing behaviour regulates pig body temperature; mud access is a key welfare provision
Outdoor systems typically have lower rates of tail biting and aggression
Welfare challenges in outdoor systems include extreme weather and predation risk
Organic and high-welfare indoor systems can approach outdoor welfare standards with sufficient enrichment

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor pig production, when properly managed, offers the most comprehensive opportunity for pigs to express natural behaviours and achieve positive welfare states. Rooting, wallowing, and exploration are all central to pig wellbeing and are best accommodated in outdoor or deep-straw systems. Consumer choice for outdoor-reared pork supports these systems.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from outdoor-reared or free-range certified sources
Support welfare standards that require outdoor access or adequate enrichment for pigs
Reduce pork consumption or switch to certified higher-welfare sources
Visit farms with outdoor pig systems to understand the welfare benefits first-hand