Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Environmental Temperature Management

Pigs lack sweat glands and are highly vulnerable to heat stress, making thermal management a critical welfare priority.

Key Facts

Pigs cannot sweat and regulate temperature through panting and wallowing
Heat stress begins at 25 degrees C for finishing pigs in full sunshine
Heat stress increases cortisol, suppresses immunity, and causes reproductive failure
Wallowing reduces body temperature by up to 2 degrees C through evaporative cooling
European indoor systems increasingly use evaporative cooling and ventilation fans

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in pigs is preventable with appropriate housing and management. Failure to provide thermal comfort causes measurable, significant suffering.

What You Can Do

Advocate for thermal management standards in pig housing regulations
Support research on effective cooling solutions for pig farming
Choose pork from farms with documented thermal management protocols