Farmed Pig Flooring and Lameness Prevention

Flooring conditions are one of the most critical determinants of welfare for pigs kept indoors. Lameness causes chronic pain for millions of pigs worldwide.

Key Facts

Slatted concrete floors are standard in most commercial pig operations globally
Lameness prevalence in commercial finishing pigs ranges from 5-20% depending on system
Pigs on slatted floors show higher rates of foot lesions than those on bedded systems
Rubber mats and reduced slat width significantly decrease slipping injuries and lesions
Breeding sows in gestation crates cannot turn around, causing severe muscle weakness and joint problems

Welfare Considerations

Flooring-related lameness is among the most significant welfare problems in pig farming. Hard slatted concrete causes foot and leg injuries including lesions, joint inflammation, and skeletal deformity over time. Lame pigs experience chronic pain that affects their behavior, feed intake, and social interactions. Deep litter or straw bedding systems dramatically reduce lameness rates compared to bare slatted floors. The welfare business case is clear: lame pigs grow more slowly and cost more to treat. Transitioning to enriched flooring systems with softer surfaces and better traction represents one of the highest-impact improvements available in commercial pig production.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from producers using straw-bedded or deep-litter housing systems
Support legislative efforts to phase out bare slatted floors and gestation crates
Ask producers and retailers about flooring standards used in their supply chain
Advocate for lameness monitoring requirements in pig welfare audits