Farm Animals

Pig Pen Flooring and Hoof Health

Flooring type profoundly affects pig welfare through effects on hoof health, lying behaviour, and injury risk.

Key Facts

Fully slatted concrete floors cause hoof overgrowth and joint problems
Partially slatted with solid lying area improves hoof and lying welfare
Rubber-coated or ribbed floors reduce slip injuries and improve comfort
Deep straw bedding supports natural behaviour and hoof wear
Wet slurry floors are associated with skin lesions and lameness

Welfare Considerations

Flooring is a foundational welfare factor in pig production. Concrete slats optimised for waste management damage hoof and joint health significantly over a pig's lifetime. Investment in improved flooring is among the most impactful structural changes a pig farm can make.

What You Can Do

Support farm welfare standards specifying flooring requirements
Advocate for partial solid flooring in commercial pig housing
Choose higher-welfare pork certified to better housing standards