Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Social Bonds

Research into pig social bonds reveals their welfare significance and the cost of social disruption through mixing and regrouping.

Key Facts

Pigs form stable preferential associations within groups that persist over months
Social bond formation provides stress buffering in stressful situations
Separating bonded pigs causes measurable behavioural and physiological stress responses
Maintaining stable social groups reduces aggression, cortisol, and injury rates
Positive social relationships are increasingly recognised as a positive welfare indicator

Welfare Considerations

Pig social bonds are real, valued by pigs, and welfare-significant. Management that disrupts established social relationships imposes real welfare costs. Minimising unnecessary regrouping and maintaining stable social groups directly respects pig social welfare needs.

What You Can Do

Advocate for stable social group management as a welfare standard requirement
Support research into pig social bond assessment as a positive welfare indicator
Engage with producers about the evidence for welfare benefits of stable group management