Straw-based housing for pigs dramatically improves welfare compared to bare concrete through enrichment, cushioning, and thermal comfort.
Bare concrete slatted housing denies pigs the substrate they are biologically motivated to root and nest in, causing chronic behavioral frustration. Hard surfaces cause foot and leg injuries and joint pain that impairs movement and comfort. Cold concrete floors cause thermal stress. Straw housing addresses multiple welfare deficits simultaneously - enrichment, cushioning, thermal comfort, and nest-building opportunity. The welfare difference between straw and slatted systems is substantial and well-documented.