Enrichment provided at the litter level — substrate that piglets can root in and explore — is critical for piglet welfare from birth.
Enrichment for piglets in the farrowing environment has benefits that extend beyond the farrowing period. Piglets that have access to rooting substrate develop normally expected exploratory and investigative behaviors that persist into later housing stages. The welfare benefits compound across the production cycle. Even simple, inexpensive enrichment like straw in the farrowing area delivers measurable behavioral welfare benefits.