Pigs are highly social animals whose welfare in group housing depends on managing hierarchy formation, resource access, and space allocation to minimize aggression and support positive social behavior.
Managing pig social dynamics is one of the most practically challenging aspects of group housing welfare. The mixing aggression that occurs when unfamiliar pigs are combined causes acute pain and injury, and can result in chronic subordination of vulnerable animals. Producers who minimize mixing events, keep groups stable from weaning through to slaughter where possible, and provide generous space and enrichment achieve significantly better welfare outcomes. The positive side of pig social life is real and valuable: pigs that know each other engage in play, rest together, and show cooperative behaviors that reflect positive welfare states. Understanding pig sociality not just as a management challenge but as a welfare opportunity shifts the approach from minimizing harm to actively supporting good social experiences.