Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Open Air Systems

Open air pig systems provide significant welfare benefits through natural behaviour expression but require specific management.

Key Facts

Outdoor pigs can root, wallow, explore, and socialise more fully
Parasitic disease burden is higher in outdoor systems
Outdoor pigs show lower chronic stress indicators
Winter welfare requires shelter and appropriate breeds
Nose ringing prevents rooting damage but compromises natural behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Well-managed outdoor pig systems provide genuine welfare improvements. However, poorly managed outdoor systems can have worse outcomes than good indoor systems. Management quality determines whether outdoor systems deliver their welfare potential.

What You Can Do

Support certification of well-managed outdoor pig systems
Advocate for welfare assessment rather than automatic premium
Choose outdoor pork from certified well-managed systems