Livestock

Farmed Pig Housing Design and Welfare

Physical housing design is one of the most important determinants of pig welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Flooring type affects foot health, hygiene, and injury rates in pigs
Pen size and layout influence social dynamics and aggression
Access to outdoor areas significantly improves pig welfare indicators
Enrichment zone placement affects how enrichments are actually used

Welfare Considerations

Poor housing design forces pigs into welfare compromising situations — inadequate space generates aggression, solid or slatted floor combinations affect foot health and hygiene, and poorly placed resources increase competition. Evidence-based housing design using pig ethological knowledge can dramatically improve welfare within commercial production constraints.

What You Can Do

Support producers investing in housing improvements for pig welfare
Advocate for housing design standards based on ethological research
Choose assurance-scheme pork from producers with high housing standards
Back research into innovative pig housing design solutions