Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Outdoor Access Natural Behaviour

Outdoor access enables expression of a wide range of natural pig behaviours that are severely restricted in indoor systems. The welfare benefits are substantial and well-evidenced.

Key Facts

Outdoor pigs express significantly more rooting, exploration, and ranging behaviour
Sunlight exposure supports vitamin D synthesis and circadian rhythm regulation
Social behaviour including play is more prevalent in outdoor conditions
Environmental variety including ground texture and vegetation enriches outdoor pigs
Outdoor access reduces prevalence of stereotypic behaviours observed in indoor pigs

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor access provides a constellation of welfare benefits that indoor systems cannot fully replicate. While management challenges exist, the welfare case for outdoor access is well-evidenced and compelling.

What You Can Do

Choose outdoor-reared pork as a regular welfare preference
Support certification schemes with genuine outdoor access requirements
Advocate for outdoor access to be a standard in higher welfare tiers
Learn about the evidence for outdoor access benefits to pig welfare