Alternative pig production systems including deep-bedded hoop barns and pasture operations offer substantially better welfare than conventional indoor systems.
Pigs in deep-bedded and pasture systems show dramatically better welfare indicators than those in conventional indoor systems. Rooting in deep straw satisfies a fundamental behavioral drive. Social group stability reduces aggression. Outdoor access provides environmental complexity. These systems demonstrate that welfare and pig production are compatible. The challenge is economic: alternative systems cost more. But growing certified markets, premium pricing, and consumer demand are making them increasingly viable at scale.