Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Pen Design Welfare Science

Evidence-based pig pen design principles that support welfare by enabling natural behaviour, reducing aggression, and improving environmental quality.

Key Facts

Pen shape and size affect pig behaviour, aggression, and access to resources
Space allowance is the most important pen design variable for pig welfare
Solid vs. slatted flooring affects cleanliness, thermal comfort, and injury risk
Feed and water point provision affects competition and access welfare
Enrichment zones in pen design significantly reduce redirected behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Pig pen design is a foundational welfare determinant that affects every pig in the system for its entire life. Evidence-based design principles that provide adequate space, appropriate flooring, multiple resource access points, and designated enrichment areas create conditions that support natural behaviour and reduce aggression, fear, and injury. Retrofitting existing facilities to improve design is often feasible and cost-effective.

What You Can Do

Support farm welfare standards that specify evidence-based pen design requirements
Ask producers about pen design when assessing welfare standards
Advocate for welfare-based space requirements to be included in pig housing regulations