Outdoor pig production provides significant welfare benefits over indoor intensive systems but still requires careful management to ensure good health and wellbeing.
Outdoor pig production represents a significant welfare improvement over intensive indoor systems. Pigs have space to perform natural behaviors, root in soil, socialize normally, and are not confined in gestation crates or farrowing crates. However, welfare challenges remain. Shade and wallowing facilities are essential as pigs are highly susceptible to heat stress and sunburn. Muddy paddocks in wet conditions cause respiratory disease. Parasite burdens including Ascaris worms are higher in outdoor systems. Predation by foxes on piglets is a welfare concern. Outdoor-reared pigs still enter the same slaughter system as indoor pigs. Humane catch-up and transport methods are critical to maintaining the welfare benefits of outdoor rearing through to slaughter.