Breeding boars in commercial pig production face specific welfare challenges including social isolation, physical deconditioning, and high rates of leg problems that often lead to premature death.
Breeding boar welfare is an often-overlooked aspect of pig production welfare. These intelligent, social animals are routinely housed in complete isolation for their entire productive lives — a profound deprivation for a species that lives in complex social groups in natural conditions. The combination of solitary confinement, concrete or slatted flooring, and limited exercise produces high rates of leg problems, skin lesions, and stereotypic behaviors. Boars are also subject to aversion conditioning during semen collection. Welfare improvements require social housing compatible with boar behavior, bedded flooring, exercise opportunities, and management that extends productive lifespan beyond the current industry norm of 2-3 years.