Individual welfare science for pigs - measuring the welfare of specific identifiable animals rather than herd averages - is transforming what is known and what is possible in pig welfare management.
Individual welfare science for pigs is a paradigm shift from herd-level welfare assessment toward individual animal welfare management. When every pig has an identity and individual welfare data is tracked across time, welfare problems can be detected and addressed for specific animals. This individual welfare approach reflects the moral reality that each pig matters as an individual, not merely as a member of a herd with an average welfare score.