Environmental enrichment for farmed pigs is increasingly recognised as essential for welfare, with manipulable materials reducing aggression, stereotypies, and boredom.
Pigs in barren concrete environments without enrichment develop stereotypic behaviours including bar biting and rooting at floors. The frustration from being unable to perform natural rooting and exploration behaviour causes chronic psychological stress. Tail biting is a behavioural indicator of poor welfare that causes real physical harm to victims. Provision of straw, wood, compost, or other manipulable materials reduces these problems substantially. The welfare of pigs is most improved by systems that allow natural rooting and social behaviour.