Floor type profoundly affects pig welfare through effects on foot health, comfort, and behavior. Understanding flooring welfare guides both purchasing decisions and policy.
Pig flooring choice has direct welfare implications for foot health, behavioral welfare, and comfort. Fully slatted concrete floors cause foot and leg problems from constant hard surface contact and provide no rooting opportunity. Solid floors with bedding allow natural behaviors and provide thermal comfort. The welfare case for bedded systems is robust — pigs in straw systems show lower stress indicators, fewer injuries, and more positive behavioral indicators than those on slatted concrete. Practical barriers including slurry management and biosecurity have slowed transition, but welfare-focused producers are demonstrating that alternatives are commercially viable.