Pigs habituate to enrichment quickly — rotating novel materials maintains engagement and welfare benefits over time. Evidence-based rotation strategies maximise enrichment effectiveness.
The effectiveness of enrichment as a welfare intervention depends on its ability to engage and satisfy the motivated behaviours it targets. Pigs' strong exploratory drive means they investigate novel items intensively — but novelty fades. Fixed enrichment objects like chains become familiar within days and lose their welfare benefit. Rotation strategies that introduce new materials, change their location, or combine different types maintain novelty and sustained engagement. The welfare goal is not just enrichment provision but enrichment that continues to motivate and satisfy natural behaviours throughout the pigs life.