Outdoor pig production provides the best welfare outcomes for most welfare indicators but faces challenges from weather, disease risk, and land requirements.
Outdoor pig production delivers welfare improvements across almost all indicators compared to indoor intensive systems. Access to rooting substrate, space for natural movement and exploration, and variable environment meet fundamental behavioural needs. Weather management through adequate shelter provision and appropriate breed selection addresses the primary welfare risk of outdoor production. The higher land requirement of outdoor systems is a genuine constraint on widespread adoption.