Floor surface design in pig housing directly affects hoof health, slip injuries, and welfare, with different floor types creating different welfare profiles at different life stages.
Floor design welfare impact operates continuously throughout a pig's production life: every step on an inappropriate surface is a welfare micro-cost that accumulates over months. Concrete slat edges cause hoof damage that predisposes to lameness; smooth concrete causes falls during mounting that cause leg injuries; inadequate drainage creates wet surfaces that soften hooves. The welfare improvement from appropriate floor design is constant and cumulative — every hour on a better surface is better welfare than on a worse one.