Welfare: Enabler of animal performance

High welfare standards are a prerequisite of good performance in all livestock production systems. Risk assessment and specific nutrition can help reduce stress in young piglets. High welfare standards for piglets can be achieved through good feeding, health, housing and management, meaning access to food and water, ease of movement, appropriate room temperature, absence of pain and good human-to-animal interactions. Yet factors affecting welfare in piglets are highly complex and multifaceted.