Farmed Animals

Pig Outdoor Access Benefits

Outdoor access for pigs provides significant welfare benefits through the opportunity to express natural behaviors on natural substrates.

Key Facts

Outdoor pigs engage in significantly more rooting, foraging and exploratory behavior
Sunshine exposure provides vitamin D and appears to reduce aggressive behavior
Outdoor systems allow pigs to thermoregulate more naturally through wallowing
Welfare outcomes in outdoor systems are generally better despite weather-related challenges

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor access allows pigs to express a much wider range of natural behaviors than indoor systems. Rooting in soil, foraging, dust-bathing and social play are all facilitated by outdoor access. These are strongly motivated behaviors that pigs will work hard to perform. However, outdoor systems have their own welfare challenges including extreme weather, predation risk and disease. Well-managed outdoor systems represent a significant welfare improvement for pigs.

What You Can Do

Choose outdoor-reared or free-range pork products
Look for RSPCA Assured, Free Range or Pasture for Life certification
Ask retailers about their outdoor access requirements
Support policies that incentivize outdoor access in pig farming