Straw provision for pigs satisfies their powerful rooting and foraging motivation while providing nesting material, representing one of the highest-value welfare interventions.
Straw represents the gold standard enrichment substrate for pigs because it simultaneously satisfies rooting motivation, provides tactile stimulation, and allows nest-building behaviour. Pigs without rooting substrate show higher stereotypy, redirected rooting, and aggression than straw-provided pigs. The welfare benefit of straw is dose-dependent: more straw provides more welfare benefit. Management of straw in indoor systems with slurry management is challenging but achievable through rack provision, bedded pens, or loose straw allocation. Welfare-focused indoor pig production treats straw provision as a welfare requirement rather than an optional extra.