Enrichment provided to pig litters in the farrowing period shapes behavioral development and reduces the risk of later welfare problems including tail biting and aggression during production.
The farrowing period is a critical window for behavioral development in pigs. Piglets denied enrichment and varied stimulation in the first weeks of life show lasting behavioral differences including reduced exploratory behavior, increased fear responses, and higher rates of aggression after weaning. Environmental enrichment during this period costs little but produces measurable behavioral benefits that persist through the production cycle. The farrowing crate itself limits space for enrichment provision, creating tension between sow welfare management and piglet enrichment opportunity. Pen-farrowing systems that allow sow movement provide more space for enrichment while addressing sow welfare simultaneously, demonstrating that system design choices affect multiple welfare objectives at once.