Pig pen design influences aggression levels and welfare outcomes across the production cycle.
Pen design is a welfare lever that operates continuously — good design reduces aggression every day across the production cycle, while poor design allows chronic conflict that causes injury and chronic stress to lower-ranked animals. The physics of pig behavior in groups means that visual barriers allowing low-ranked animals to escape sight of dominant pigs reduce stress and injury substantially. Escape routes from corners where pigs can become trapped prevent severe bullying. Feeder design that allows multiple animals simultaneous access reduces competition and associated aggression. These design elements require investment but deliver continuous welfare dividends across the production cycle.