Outdoor pig production systems provide animals with soil rooting, space, and natural behaviors not possible in indoor systems, but bring distinct welfare challenges including extreme weather exposure and biosecurity risks.
Well-managed outdoor pig systems represent a genuine welfare improvement over indoor intensive production, enabling rooting, foraging, nest-building, and social behaviors. However, outdoor does not automatically mean high welfare — adequate shade, wallow facilities, and stocking density are essential. Poorly designed outdoor systems can subject pigs to worse weather-related welfare impacts than indoor systems.