Outdoor pig production allows natural rooting, wallowing and social behaviour but creates welfare challenges around weather exposure, predation, parasite burden and soil management.
Outdoor pig production represents a genuine welfare improvement over intensive indoor systems for behavioural welfare - rooting, wallowing and social behaviour can all be expressed. However, outdoor systems introduce welfare challenges that indoor systems largely avoid: parasite exposure, weather vulnerability, predation risk and soil quality management. High-welfare outdoor pig production addresses these challenges through excellent husbandry: adequate and well-maintained arcs, wallows and shade in summer, effective parasite management through rotation and monitoring, predator-proofed farrowing areas, and soil management that prevents severe poaching. The welfare balance is strongly in favour of outdoor systems when managed well.