Providing appropriate rooting substrates is legally required in EU pig production and fundamentally addresses one of the most strongly motivated pig behaviours.
Rooting substrate provision addresses a fundamental pig welfare need that barren systems frustrate. When pigs cannot root in appropriate material they redirect this highly motivated behaviour toward pen fittings and pen mates, causing pen damage and injuries. Effective substrates are manipulable and destructible, allowing the complete rooting sequence. Straw at adequate provision rates meets this need, while suspended chains or rubber objects provide partial enrichment. Rotating novel substrates maintains interest and prevents habituation that reduces enrichment value over time. Research consistently shows behavioural, physiological and production benefits of adequate rooting enrichment.