Enriching the environment with multiple rooting materials and bedded rest areas improves welfare of finishing pigs (2025)

Ocepek, M., Newberry, R. C., Andersen, I. L.

Abstract

Providing environmental enrichment, including rooting materials and bedding, is essential for improving pig welfare by reducing tail, ear, and body lesions. In this observational field study of Norwegian commercial farms, all farms applied some level of environmental enrichment. Thus, rather than comparing enrichment to no enrichment, we evaluated how the type and frequency of provided rooting materials, as well as the quantity of bedding, influenced pig welfare outcomes. Specifically, we investigated associations between these enrichment strategies and the prevalence of ear, tail, and body lesions, lameness, and hernias in undocked finishing pigs. A total of 5942 pigs from 87 commercial farms (634 pens) were systematically assessed for welfare parameters using standardized scoring methods during one visit per farm in the three weeks before slaughter. The farmers were surveyed to determine the types of rooting materials provided and their renewal frequency, which we categorized as no more than once daily or more than once daily. We categorized the amount of bedding observed in each pen using a 4-point scale. Different types of rooting materials varied in their effectiveness: newspaper reduced body lesion prevalence by 10 % (P = 0.004), and hay reduced tail and ear lesion prevalence by 4 % (P = 0.012) and 14 % (P = 0.008), respectively. Offering long straw or newspaper more than once daily further reduced ear lesion prevalence by 16 % (P = 0.002). Providing multiple types of rooting materials (vs one type), particularly when offered more than once daily, further reduced body lesion prevalence by 6 % (P = 0.029). Higher bedding quantity was associated with lower ear (35 %; P < 0.001), body (37 %; P < 0.001), and tail (9 %; P = 0.018) lesion prevalence. However, bedding amount did not influence the prevalence of lameness (P = 0.412) or hernias (P = 0.562). These correlational findings provide support for optimizing existing enrichment strategies by combining multiple types of rooting materials, increasing provision frequency, and ensuring sufficient bedding to reduce skin lesions, thereby improving pig welfare in commercial systems. This study highlights the importance of refining enrichment practices to minimize injurious behaviors and enhance the sustainability of pig production.