Document type: Summary and infographics published by the French Animal Welfare Chair
Author: The Animal Welfare Chair
Preview: In November 2024, the National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare ( FRCAW ) published a literature review on the impacts of partly or fully solid flooring systems on the welfare and behavior of pigs . Here is our summary of that work.
In France, the vast majority of pigs are reared inside farm buildings. The flooring systems in these buildings can vary depending on the type of farm and the animals' growth phase (farrowing sows and piglets, weaners, fatteners). Each flooring type has advantages and disadvantages, whether in economic terms or in terms of the welfare of both animals and farmers. Where the pigs' welfare is concerned, particular attention is paid to the impact of flooring types on their cleanliness, health and behavioral expression.
Key points to remember:
– Most French pig farms use fully slatted flooring systems (enntirely made of slats separated by openings).
– The type of flooring and the presence of litter will influence how the pigs express their behaviors.
– Pig welfare increases as a function of floor type along an increasing scale (fully slatted floor≤ partially slatted floor ≤ solid floor ≤ deep litter) which is linked to the quantities of straw a system allows.
