Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare Outcome Measurement

Outcome-based pig welfare measurement assesses actual welfare states of animals rather than input measures, providing more accurate indication of pig welfare in different systems.

Key Facts

Welfare Quality protocols assess pig welfare through animal-based indicators
Skin lesions, lameness, and tail lesions are validated welfare outcome measures in pigs
Body condition scoring of sows provides welfare outcome data across the production cycle
Qualitative behaviour assessment captures emotional state aspects of pig welfare
Welfare outcome data can compare across systems and benchmark individual farm performance

Welfare Considerations

Outcome-based welfare measurement represents a more sophisticated and welfare-relevant approach than input measures such as space allowance alone. By measuring actual pig welfare states rather than assumed correlates, outcome measurement identifies genuine welfare problems and enables meaningful comparison between systems.

What You Can Do

Support welfare certification schemes that use outcome-based measurement
Learn about the Welfare Quality assessment protocols for pigs
Advocate for mandatory welfare outcome monitoring in pig production standards