How stocking density affects pig welfare and what research reveals about optimal space allowances for different production phases.
Stocking density is among the most powerful welfare levers in pig production, yet regulatory minimums in most jurisdictions fall significantly below welfare-optimal levels. Research consistently demonstrates that pigs at lower densities show more natural behavior, less aggression, better immune function, and improved growth parameters. The economic calculation that justifies high density focuses on space cost while ignoring the productivity costs of welfare compromise including reduced growth rates, higher medication needs, and increased mortality. Welfare-focused producers operating at optimal rather than maximum densities often find that improved performance compensates for reduced throughput per unit area. Consumer demand for certified higher-welfare products with specified space requirements creates market incentives for density reduction.