Outdoor pig production allows animals to perform natural behaviours including rooting, wallowing, and social exploration — but welfare depends on management quality and stocking density.
Outdoor pig production, when well-managed, provides significant welfare improvements over intensive indoor systems. Access to soil, vegetation, and fresh air allows natural rooting, wallowing, and social behaviour. However, poor management of stocking density, wallow provision, and shade can create outdoor environments where heat stress and disease are significant problems. The welfare of outdoor pigs depends critically on management competency, stocking density, and access to cooling infrastructure. Consumer demand for well-managed outdoor pork supports higher-welfare production.