Pig housing is undergoing a significant transition driven by welfare science, consumer demand, and regulatory change toward systems that better meet pig behavioural needs.
The direction of pig housing development is toward systems that allow greater expression of natural behaviour while maintaining biosecurity and productivity. Free farrowing, group gestation, and enriched systems represent significant welfare improvements over conventional confined housing. The challenge is implementing these systems across the diversity of farm sizes and structures that make up commercial pig production. Policy, market signals, and practical support for farmers making transitions are all necessary.