Scientific research on pig social behavior is informing better group housing practices that reduce aggression while allowing pigs to meet their social and behavioral needs.
Pig group housing, when well-designed, provides significant welfare benefits over individual confinement through expression of social, exploratory, and play behaviors. The key welfare challenges are managing aggression during group introductions and providing adequate space and resources to reduce competition. Research-based recommendations including stable group composition, adequate floor space, and environmental complexity are increasingly incorporated into welfare certification standards.