Moving beyond absence of suffering, positive welfare science aims to identify and promote genuine positive states in farm pigs including play, curiosity and contentment.
Pig welfare science has historically focused on reducing negative states. The shift to positive welfare asks what good pig life looks like and how to provide it. Pigs given straw, space, and social stability show clear positive affect through playful, exploratory behaviour. Vocalisations and facial expressions can indicate emotional valence. Farms that provide positive welfare conditions benefit from improved productivity alongside better animal lives.