Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Positive Welfare Indicators Practice

Positive welfare indicators in pigs move assessment beyond absence of suffering to include evidence of good experiences and quality of life.

Key Facts

Play behaviour in piglets is a robust indicator of positive affective state
Exploratory behaviour including rooting and investigating novel objects indicates positive engagement
Relaxed resting posture with limbs extended indicates absence of pain or anxiety
Social grooming and friendly interactions between pen-mates indicate positive social welfare
Positive indicators are now included in welfare quality protocols and some certification schemes

Welfare Considerations

Positive welfare indicators provide a richer and more complete picture of pig welfare than problem indicators alone; incorporating them into assessment reflects a genuine commitment to animals' quality of life.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare assessment frameworks that include positive indicators
Advocate for welfare certification that measures positive experiences, not only absence of problems
Learn about positive welfare science and its application to farm animal assessment