Boars used for breeding in pig production have specific welfare needs that differ from sows and growing pigs. Social isolation, physical restriction, and the demands of intensive breeding programmes create specific welfare challenges for breeding boars.
Boar welfare is often overlooked compared to the welfare of sows and growing pigs, yet breeding boars face specific challenges from social isolation and physical restriction that cause chronic stress. The concentration of breeding in AI centres means individual boars may be collected from many times per week in intensive programmes. Lameness from joint disease is widespread. Welfare standards for boars need to address social needs, appropriate space, and health monitoring with the same rigour applied to other production categories.