Play behaviour in pigs is a reliable indicator of positive welfare. Understanding what triggers and suppresses play helps farmers and researchers assess and improve pig wellbeing.
Play behaviour is one of the most sensitive and meaningful welfare indicators available in pig farming. Because play requires positive emotional state and physical comfort, its presence signals good welfare and its absence is an early warning of welfare compromise. Research using ultrasonic microphones to detect play vocalisations is enabling non-invasive welfare assessment at flock level, offering the prospect of continuous monitoring systems that alert farmers to welfare deterioration before clinical disease develops. Practically, farmers can increase play by providing varied, interesting environments: rooting substrate, hanging objects, and space to run. These enrichments that promote play are the same interventions that reduce boredom-driven stereotypies and tail biting. The message from play science is that what is good for pig wellbeing is also good for farm management.