Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Gut Microbiome and Welfare Research

Emerging research on pig gut microbiome and its relationship to welfare, health, and behaviour.

Key Facts

The gut microbiome influences pig behaviour, stress responses, and immune function
Gut-brain axis research reveals bidirectional communication between gut bacteria and brain
Early life microbiome establishment affects lifetime welfare and health outcomes
Dietary interventions can modulate the microbiome to improve welfare indicators
Probiotic and prebiotic research offers promising welfare applications for pig farming

Welfare Considerations

Gut microbiome science is revealing new mechanisms through which management practices affect pig welfare, opening new intervention opportunities for welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support research into gut microbiome and animal welfare connections
Advocate for dietary standards that support healthy gut microbiome development in pigs
Encourage knowledge exchange between microbiome researchers and pig welfare scientists