Providing straw and bedding material to pigs delivers multiple welfare benefits including thermoregulation, rooting substrate, and comfort that barren systems cannot replicate.
Straw bedding transforms pig welfare across multiple dimensions simultaneously. It provides rooting substrate that allows expression of natural foraging behavior, insulation for thermal comfort, nesting material for sows, and an enriched sensory environment compared to barren concrete. Pigs on straw show lower stereotypy rates, reduced aggression, and more time in positive behavioral states. The welfare benefits are well-established and practical straw provision systems exist for most pig housing types. The primary barriers to adoption are slurry management systems designed for liquid waste and labor for straw handling, which represent management challenges rather than fundamental incompatibilities.