Research shows pigs habituate to enrichment over time. Understanding novelty dynamics helps design effective long-term enrichment strategies on farms.
Long-term enrichment efficacy is a critical welfare issue often overlooked in policy and practice. Simply providing enrichment at the start of a pig's life is insufficient if materials become familiar and ignored. Pigs that have lost interest in enrichment revert to redirected behaviours including tail and ear biting. Effective programmes must schedule rotation - typically every 1-2 weeks - and include materials targeting rooting, chewing, and manipulation. Farmers need practical guidance on cost-effective rotation schedules.