Modern animal welfare science recognizes that good welfare goes beyond preventing suffering. Positive welfare indicators measure good experiences, play, and natural behavior in pigs.
Focusing only on eliminating negative experiences misses half the welfare equation. Positive welfare for pigs means providing opportunities for joy, curiosity, and play — not merely freedom from pain and disease. Research shows pigs in enriched environments with appropriate social groups, rooting materials, and space engage in significantly more play behavior and exhibit more positive ear and tail postures. High-welfare pig farming is not just about preventing suffering but actively creating conditions where pigs can experience positive states regularly.