Scientific research into pig enrichment has established clear evidence for what works, but implementation on commercial farms remains inconsistent.
Pig enrichment science has matured to the point where effective, scalable interventions are well-characterized. The evidence consistently shows that rooting substrate — materials that pigs can root through, manipulate, and ingest in small quantities — is qualitatively different from other enrichment types in meeting core behavioral needs. Hanging chains and rubber balls, while better than nothing, fail to engage the rooting and foraging behavioral systems that straw and compost address. Commercial implementation barriers include cost, litter management, and facility design — all addressable with appropriate motivation and investment. Enrichment should be understood not as a luxury but as a basic welfare requirement analogous to adequate feed and water.