Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Positive Emotions: Measuring What Matters

Welfare science has increasingly moved beyond measuring negative states to assessing positive emotions in farm pigs. New tools are enabling measurement of play, optimism and positive affect.

Key Facts

Play behaviour in pigs is a reliable indicator of positive welfare states
Cognitive bias tests distinguish optimistic from pessimistic pig mental states
Pigs anticipate positive events and show excitement before feeding or enrichment access
Social play includes chasing, gambolling and play-wrestling in well-nurtured pigs
Tail posture has been validated as a rapid indicator of positive versus negative welfare states

Welfare Considerations

Positive welfare assessment represents a paradigm shift that moves beyond minimising suffering toward actively promoting flourishing. This approach is transforming how pig welfare is monitored and improved.

What You Can Do

Advocate for positive welfare indicators in pig farm certification schemes
Support research into validated positive welfare measures for farm pigs
Choose pork from farms that measure and report positive welfare alongside absence of disease