Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Outdoor Access and Natural Behaviour

Outdoor access allows pigs to express a far wider range of natural behaviours than indoor housing systems can provide.

Key Facts

Outdoor pigs wallow, root, graze and express full repertoires of natural behaviour
UK outdoor breeding herds house about 40% of sows outside year-round
Outdoor systems carry risks including predation, parasites and climatic extremes
Welfare in outdoor systems varies considerably based on management quality
Consumer interest in outdoor-reared pork has driven welfare improvements in supply chains

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor access profoundly expands the range of natural behaviours available to pigs. While outdoor systems have their own challenges, well-managed outdoor or free-range systems consistently provide better welfare outcomes than intensive indoor systems.

What You Can Do

Choose outdoor-reared or free-range pork and pork products when available
Support retailers committing to higher proportions of outdoor and free-range pork in sourcing
Advocate for consumer labelling that clearly identifies outdoor-reared pork products