Outdoor pig production offers significant welfare benefits through natural behaviour expression but introduces unique challenges from climate and predation.
Outdoor pigs demonstrate strongly positive welfare indicators including social behaviour, exploratory rooting, and sunbathing. However, extremes of heat and cold create welfare challenges. Pigs cannot sweat and rely on mud wallowing for cooling; lack of wallow access in dry summers causes heat stress. Cold, wet winters cause increased energy demands and exposure in poorly sheltered fields. Welfare-conscious outdoor producers invest in supplementary mud wallows, adequate ark provision, and windbreaks.