The physical design of pig housing profoundly affects welfare outcomes, with pen layout, flooring type, ventilation, and space allowance all determining behavioral expression and health.
Pig housing design determines the welfare quality of animals for the entirety of their lives on farm. Fully slatted concrete floors provide inadequate comfort for lying and cause foot lesions that cause lameness and pain. Insufficient space causes competition, aggression, and reduced ability to perform natural behaviors. Poor ventilation causes ammonia accumulation that damages respiratory mucosa and causes chronic irritation. Complex pen layouts with barriers and level changes provide refuges for subordinate animals and reduce injurious aggression. Natural light access improves circadian rhythm regulation. Deep litter systems provide rooting substrate and thermal comfort but require management to prevent excess moisture and ammonia. Future pig housing design must integrate these welfare considerations with practical and economic constraints.