The fattening or finishing phase represents the longest part of a pig's production life, requiring welfare-focused management across feeding, environment, and health.
Fattening phase welfare determines welfare outcomes for the longest part of a commercial pig's life. Social mixing at beginning of fattening causes acute aggression that then gradually resolves as hierarchies stabilise. Competition at feeders increases welfare stress for subordinate animals. Respiratory disease during fattening causes chronic welfare impairment for a significant proportion of affected animals. Welfare-focused fattening management minimises social mixing events, provides adequate feeding space, maintains health management continuity from nursery phase, and provides enrichment throughout the fattening period.