Farm Animals

Pig Gut Microbiome and Welfare

The pig gut microbiome influences health, immune function and behaviour, and management practices that support microbiome diversity improve welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Piglets acquire their initial gut microbiome from the sow at birth and through early contact
Antibiotic use disrupts microbiome diversity and can cause persistent dysbiosis
High fibre diets support diverse beneficial microbial communities in the pig gut
Probiotic supplementation at weaning helps restore microbiome balance post-antibiotic exposure
Microbiome composition is associated with stress resilience and immune competence in pigs

Welfare Considerations

Gut microbiome health is emerging as a key welfare determinant in pigs, linking management practices to immune function, disease resistance and stress response. Supporting microbiome diversity is a practical welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Support farms using dietary fibre strategies to support gut microbiome diversity
Advocate for antibiotic stewardship that minimises unnecessary microbiome disruption
Ask pork producers about their approach to gut health management and probiotic use