Group housing systems for pigs allow social behaviour and movement that individual or pair housing prevents, with significant welfare benefits when well managed.
Pigs in well-managed group housing show lower fear responses, reduced stereotypies, and better bone density from increased movement compared to individually crated pigs. The welfare benefits of group housing depend critically on management quality, particularly feeding system design and group stability. Poorly managed group housing with insufficient space or feeding stations can produce poorer welfare outcomes than individual housing. Skilled management is the key variable.