Comparing welfare outcomes across conventional and alternative pig production systems provides evidence for policy and consumer decision-making about which systems genuinely improve pig welfare.
The welfare comparison between production systems is more nuanced than simple system labels suggest. Well-managed indoor enriched systems can outperform poorly managed outdoor systems on some welfare indicators. Consistently, however, systems that allow rooting, social stability, and behavioral complexity produce better welfare outcomes than barren confinement systems regardless of indoor or outdoor location. Outcome-based welfare monitoring is more informative than system-based certification alone.