Pigs are one of the most important livestock species in the world, providing meat, leather, and other products. As with any animal, it is essential to provide pigs with suitable living conditions that promote their welfare and allow them to express natural behaviors. In this article, we will explore the different types of pig housing systems used on farms and discuss their impact on pig welfare and the environment.

What Is a Pig House Called?

A pig house is also known as a pigpen, pigsty, hog pen, or hog house. These terms refer to structures that are specifically designed for housing pigs.

In the past, pigsties were often small, unhygienic structures that provided minimal protection from the elements. However, modern pig housing systems prioritize animal welfare and environmental sustainability and are designed to provide pigs with comfortable, safe, and hygienic living conditions.

Modern pig houses can be either indoor or outdoor, depending on the production system and local climate. Indoor pig housing systems are typically large, climate-controlled buildings that provide pigs with protection from extreme weather conditions, predators, and disease. Outdoor pig housing systems, on the other hand, provide pigs with ample space to roam, forage, and engage in natural behaviors.

In addition to traditional pig houses, some pig farmers use alternative housing systems such as hoop houses, deep-bedded pens, or modular housing systems. These systems are designed to be more flexible and adaptable to different herd sizes and production systems.

Types of Pig Housing

Pig housing can be broadly categorized into two types: indoor and outdoor systems. Each system has its pros and cons, and the choice of system will depend on various factors such as climate, available resources, and management goals.

Indoor Pig Housing

Indoor pig housing systems are typically used in regions with harsh climates or limited space. The most common types of indoor housing systems are:

• Gestation crates: These are individual stalls designed to house pregnant sows. The stalls are typically small, with a slatted floor and a feeding trough.
• Farrowing crates: These are individual stalls designed to house lactating sows and their piglets. The stalls are usually larger than gestation crates and have a heated area for the piglets.
• Group housing: This system allows pigs to socialize and move around freely in a pen or barn. The pen may have solid or slatted floors, and the pigs have access to food and water.

Indoor pig housing systems provide protection from harsh weather conditions, predators, and diseases. However, they can also be associated with welfare concerns such as limited space, poor air quality, and social stress.

Outdoor Pig Housing

Outdoor pig housing systems are typically used in regions with mild climates and access to grazing land. The most common types of outdoor housing systems are:

• Pasture-based systems: These systems allow pigs to graze on grass and other vegetation in an open field or paddock. The pigs may have access to a shelter for protection from the elements.
• Hoop barns: These are semi-circular structures that provide shade and shelter for pigs. They can be moved to different areas of the pasture to avoid overgrazing.
• Woodlots: These are areas of forest or wooded land where pigs can forage for nuts, acorns, and other food.

Outdoor pig housing systems provide pigs with access to fresh air, natural light, and opportunities for exercise and exploration. However, they can also be associated with welfare concerns such as exposure to predators, diseases, and extreme weather conditions.

Indoor Pig Housing

Indoor pig housing systems refer to the confinement of pigs within a building or structure. These systems can range from small pens to large-scale operations with thousands of pigs. There are several types of indoor pig housing systems, including:

Farrowing crates

Farrowing crates are individual stalls designed to separate the sow from her piglets during nursing. These crates typically provide a limited space for the sow and restrict movement to prevent accidental crushing of piglets.

Gestation crates

Gestation crates are individual stalls designed to house pregnant sows. These crates usually have limited space and restrict movement to prevent aggression between sows and to allow for easier feeding and management.

Group housing

Group housing systems are designed to allow sows to live together in a larger space. This system provides more social interaction and space for movement but requires careful management to prevent aggression and ensure that all sows receive adequate food.

Nursery pens

Nursery pens are used to house weaned piglets until they are large enough to move into grow-finish pens. These pens usually provide a limited space for each piglet to prevent fighting and ensure easy access to food and water.

Each type of indoor pig housing system has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Farrowing crates: Advantages include better protection of piglets and easier management of feed and care. Disadvantages include restricted movement and limited socialization, which can negatively impact pig welfare.
• Gestation crates: Advantages include better control over feeding and breeding management. Disadvantages include restricted movement, limited socialization, and negative impact on pig welfare.
• Group housing: Advantages include improved social interaction and movement space, which can positively impact pig welfare. Disadvantages include increased aggression and difficulty in managing feed and care for all sows.
• Nursery pens: Advantages include easy management of feed and care for each piglet. Disadvantages include restricted movement and limited socialization, which can negatively impact pig welfare.

In all indoor pig housing systems, there are welfare concerns related to confinement, limited space, and lack of opportunities for natural behaviors. To address these concerns, it is essential to provide ample space, socialization opportunities, and proper care and nutrition.

Outdoor Pig Housing

Outdoor pig housing systems refer to the housing of pigs in open fields or pastures. These systems allow pigs to move freely and express natural behaviors such as rooting, grazing, and socializing. There are several types of outdoor pig housing systems, including:

Pasture-based systems

Pasture-based systems involve the use of fields or paddocks for pigs to graze and forage on. These systems typically rotate pigs through different fields to promote regrowth of vegetation and prevent soil erosion.

Woodland-based systems

Woodland-based systems involve the use of wooded areas for pigs to forage on. These systems provide natural shade and protection from extreme weather conditions.

Free-range systems

Free-range systems involve the use of open fields or pastures without any physical barriers to restrict pig movement. These systems provide the most space and natural conditions for pigs to express their behaviors.

Each type of outdoor pig housing system has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Pasture-based systems: Advantages include improved soil fertility and reduced soil erosion due to rotational grazing. Disadvantages include challenges in providing adequate shelter and managing pigs in larger outdoor spaces.
• Woodland-based systems: Advantages include natural shade and protection from extreme weather conditions. Disadvantages include challenges in providing adequate shelter and monitoring pig health in wooded areas.
• Free-range systems: Advantages include ample space and natural conditions for pigs to express their behaviors. Disadvantages include an increased risk of predation.

Pig Behavior and Preferences

Pigs are social animals that engage in a wide range of natural behaviors such as rooting, socializing, exploring, and foraging. Rooting is the act of using the snout to search for food or create a comfortable resting area. Socializing involves communication and bonding between pigs through behaviors such as grooming and play. Exploring and foraging involve the search for food, water, and environmental enrichment.

Different pig housing systems can significantly impact pig behavior and welfare. For instance, in indoor confinement systems, pigs are often unable to engage in natural behaviors due to space limitations and lack of environmental enrichment. This can lead to increased stress, aggression, and abnormal behaviors such as tail-biting. On the other hand, outdoor systems such as free-range and pasture-based systems provide ample space and opportunities for natural behaviors, resulting in improved pig welfare.

It is essential to provide pigs with environments that meet their behavioral and welfare needs. This can include providing appropriate space, access to natural light and ventilation, and access to environmental enrichment such as rooting materials, toys, and structures that encourage play and exploration.

Environmental Considerations

Pig farming can have a significant impact on the environment, particularly in terms of waste management and emissions. Pig manure can generate significant amounts of greenhouse gases such as methane and contribute to soil and water pollution if not properly managed. In indoor systems, manure can accumulate in lagoons, leading to the production of harmful gases such as ammonia, which can negatively impact air quality and human health.

To address these environmental concerns, many pig farmers are implementing sustainable or eco-friendly practices such as composting, nutrient management plans, and using renewable energy sources. For example, some farmers are using anaerobic digesters to convert manure into biogas, which can be used to generate electricity or heat. Other farmers are implementing rotational grazing systems, which can improve soil fertility and reduce soil erosion.

Conclusion

In summary, pig housing systems can significantly impact pig welfare, behavior, and environmental sustainability. Indoor systems provide a controlled environment but can limit natural behaviors and result in welfare concerns such as stress and aggression. Outdoor systems such as free-range and pasture-based systems provide ample space and opportunities for natural behaviors, resulting in improved pig welfare.

It is essential to consider the welfare, behavior, and environmental impact when choosing a pig housing system. Providing pigs with environments that meet their behavioral and welfare needs can result in healthier and happier animals, and implementing sustainable practices can reduce the environmental impact of pig farming.