Straw bedding provides multiple welfare benefits for pigs beyond enrichment. Understanding its comprehensive welfare value strengthens the case for provision.
Straw bedding serves multiple welfare functions simultaneously: it provides substrate enrichment for rooting, thermal insulation for comfort, cushioning to reduce lying injury, and fiber supplementation through incidental consumption. Its welfare value is comprehensive and well-evidenced. Investment in straw provision and the system design required to accommodate it delivers welfare returns across multiple dimensions.