Pig Housing Design and Animal Welfare

Housing design is one of the most powerful determinants of pig welfare, affecting every aspect of their daily experience.

Key Facts

Fully slatted floors prevent rooting and are associated with higher aggression and poorer welfare
Straw-based housing allows pigs to root, build nests, and thermoregulate naturally
Group housing for pregnant sows allows normal movement but requires careful management to prevent bullying
Enriched indoor systems with rooting material, play objects, and ad libitum straw can achieve high welfare
Outdoor pig housing allows the full behavioural repertoire but requires protection from extreme weather

Welfare Considerations

Pig housing design either enables or prevents the expression of pig natural behaviour, making it perhaps the most fundamental welfare determinant in commercial pig production. Investment in straw-based, enriched housing systems is not merely an animal welfare cost — it is an investment in animal health, reduced medication use, and more sustainable production.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from producers with straw-based or outdoor housing systems
Support welfare standards that mandate meaningful enrichment and appropriate flooring
Advocate for housing design requirements to be included in farm building regulations
Support research into cost-effective high-welfare housing designs for pigs