Pigs in intensive farming systems are among the most cognitively sophisticated animals, requiring enrichment that current systems rarely provide.
Pigs are among the most cognitively sophisticated farm animals, and their welfare in intensive systems reflects a profound mismatch between their needs and their environment. Barren concrete or slatted floors with no rooting material deny the expression of one of the most fundamental pig behaviors. The result — tail biting, aggression, and chronic stress — is visible evidence of suffering at scale. Adequate enrichment is cheap, legally required in many jurisdictions, and dramatically improves pig welfare.