The type of flooring in pig housing affects lameness, cleanliness, social behavior, and overall welfare in significant ways.
Flooring is one of the most impactful environmental variables for pig welfare. Conventional fully slatted concrete causes hoof lesions, joint inflammation, and slipping injuries. Research consistently shows that rubber mats, deep litter, and partial slatting improve pig welfare outcomes including lying duration, exploratory behavior, and skin and joint health. Regulators and welfare assurance schemes in several European countries now restrict fully slatted systems without enrichment.