Research on pig play behaviour reveals what positive welfare looks like beyond the absence of suffering. Play is an indicator of good welfare and its provision should be a goal of pig farming systems.
Research on pig play behaviour provides direct evidence for positive welfare states that go beyond merely avoiding suffering. Play is energetically costly and only occurs when animals are in good physical condition, not anxious, and have adequate energy reserves. The observation of spontaneous play in pigs therefore indicates that multiple welfare conditions are simultaneously met. The identification of play face and play vocalisation indicators provides objective measures of positive welfare that can be used in welfare assessment alongside traditional negative indicators. Farming systems that provide the conditions enabling play, including space for locomotor play, stable social groups, and enrichment stimulating exploration, actively promote positive welfare rather than merely preventing harm.