Outdoor pig production faces unique welfare challenges in winter months, including cold stress, mud management and maintenance of adequate shelter.
Winter weather presents genuine welfare challenges for outdoor pigs that require proactive management. Pigs are vulnerable to cold stress when wet, especially young piglets who have limited thermoregulatory capacity. Mud immersion increases energy requirements and can cause skin damage and lameness. Well-managed outdoor systems with adequate, dry, deep straw bedding allow pigs to thermoregulate effectively and maintain good welfare year-round. Poor-condition arc huts or insufficient straw in winter represent a clear welfare failure.