Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Play Behaviour Science

Play behaviour in pigs is an indicator of positive welfare states. Understanding and promoting play provides insights into and supports overall pig wellbeing.

Key Facts

Play behaviour including locomotor play and social play indicates positive welfare
Enriched environments produce significantly more play than barren environments
Play frequency is used as a positive welfare indicator in research settings
Young pigs play more frequently, but play occurs across all age groups in good welfare conditions
Play is associated with reduced aggression and better social integration

Welfare Considerations

Pig play behaviour is both an indicator and a promoter of positive welfare. Farms providing environments where play can occur achieve better overall welfare outcomes across all standard welfare indicators.

What You Can Do

Support farms with welfare certification that includes positive welfare indicators
Advocate for positive welfare indicators including play to be incorporated into audits
Learn about pig play behaviour and what it tells us about welfare
Choose welfare-certified pork from farms demonstrating positive welfare states