Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Group Housing Welfare Research Progress

Scientific research on pig group housing systems has generated substantial evidence supporting welfare advantages over individual housing.

Key Facts

Group housing for sows in gestation is now EU law and demonstrates welfare advantages over stalls
Enriched group systems with electronic sow feeders achieve similar welfare outcomes to individual systems
Research into farrowing group housing systems is advancing rapidly
Large group housing for growing pigs raises welfare challenges around competition and aggression
Pig welfare research from universities including Bristol, Wageningen and Newcastle informs policy

Welfare Considerations

Group housing research has transformed pig welfare policy in Europe. The evidence base for welfare advantages of group housing continues to grow, informing next steps toward farrowing group housing and improved growing pig systems.

What You Can Do

Support organisations funding pig welfare housing research
Engage with pig welfare science literature and organisations communicating research findings
Advocate for policy reform informed by the growing evidence base for welfare-positive housing systems