Housing pigs in stable social groups rather than individually or in unstable groups provides significant welfare benefits through positive social interaction, play, and mutual enrichment.
Pig social welfare is profoundly affected by housing and group management practices. Stable social groups that are not disrupted through repeated mixing allow pigs to establish predictable hierarchies and engage in positive social behaviors including play, mutual exploration, and resting contact. The commercial practice of repeatedly mixing pigs from different litters generates chronic social instability and aggression. Welfare-positive management maintains stable groups throughout the production cycle, provides sufficient space to avoid constant conflict, and treats social stability as a key welfare metric alongside physical health indicators.