Enrichment for commercial pigs has moved from optional welfare improvement to regulatory requirement in many jurisdictions, and evidence distinguishes effective enrichment from token provision that fails to meet behavioral needs.
Pig enrichment effectiveness varies enormously depending on what is provided. Hanging chains - the minimal compliance option for many producers - provide limited behavioral opportunity and quickly lose novelty value. Straw, compost, or other substrate-based enrichment that allows rooting and investigation provides substantially greater welfare benefit and meaningfully reduces tail biting risk. Welfare-focused enrichment programs provide species-appropriate materials targeting pigs' strong motivation for rooting and exploration, maintain novelty through regular changes, and include foraging challenge components. The evidence for enrichment effectiveness in reducing aggression and improving welfare indicators is strong enough that its absence is a significant welfare failure.