Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Pen Design for Positive Welfare Expression

Pen design for pigs significantly affects their ability to express positive welfare behaviours including play, exploration, rooting, and social interaction.

Key Facts

Pen shape affects aggression - long narrow pens create corner trapping of subordinates
Substrates such as straw, compost, or rooting balls fulfil exploratory needs
Space allowances above legal minimums consistently reduce aggression and injury
Novel objects introduced regularly sustain exploratory behaviour in growing pigs
Visual barriers within pens reduce bullying by allowing subordinates to escape sight

Welfare Considerations

Positive welfare in pigs goes beyond absence of suffering to include opportunity for play, exploration, and positive social interaction. Well-designed pens with enrichment, adequate space, and resources transform the welfare experience of growing pigs.

What You Can Do

Advocate for higher space allowances beyond legal minimums in pig welfare standards
Support producers transitioning to enriched deep litter systems
Choose higher-welfare pork products certified to include environmental enrichment