The science of pig enrichment has advanced substantially. Understanding which enrichment materials and designs are most effective informs both welfare standards and farm practice.
Decades of enrichment research have produced clear guidance: pigs need substrate-based enrichment that allows rooting and manipulation, not hanging toys they quickly ignore. The science also shows that enrichment is not a binary intervention — quantity, quality, novelty, and accessibility all determine its effectiveness. Farms providing legal minimum enrichment (often a single hanging chain per pen) may technically comply with regulations while providing minimal actual welfare benefit. The gap between regulatory minimum and scientifically validated effective enrichment is large, and closing it requires both updated standards and practical support for farmers in implementing material-based enrichment in slatted systems.