Pig immune function is critically affected by stress, nutrition and housing. Welfare-focused disease prevention builds immunity from birth through appropriate management and vaccination.
Pig immune function sits at the intersection of welfare and production science. A pig whose immune system is compromised by chronic stress, inadequate colostrum, overcrowding or repeated painful procedures is both suffering and less productive. The welfare investment in managing immune competence - through stress reduction, adequate colostrum, appropriate vaccination, and quality housing - pays forward throughout the production cycle in reduced disease burden, lower antibiotic use and better growth. Farms that achieve high-health status through integrated management demonstrate that welfare and production are complementary, not competing, goals.