For consumers, more animal welfare is mandatory. An unwritten law. Consumers want the disclosure of husbandry conditions for pork and adequate labeling. In this article, we explain pig farming.
Husbandry Forms: Barn, Outdoor Run or Free-Range?
The German government publishes the Food Report annually. It describes the behavior of Germans regarding food. In 2023 and 2024, the quality and husbandry of meat were important to consumers. A trend that continues in 2025.
But what constitutes good husbandry? What is legally required? What kind of husbandry do farmers practice? And is it just about space, or does roughage, genetic engineering, and bedding also matter? We will now address these questions and explain everything about pig husbandry. We also have a comprehensive video here.
Husbandry Form 1
The classic barn husbandry, also known as conventional animal husbandry, is husbandry level 1. Depending on the weight class of the pigs, each animal has between 0.5 and 1 m2 of space available. This is also the legal minimum standard.
The animals must have organic and fiber-rich enrichment material available, such as straw or sawdust. You can find a detailed video about it here.
Husbandry Form 2
The next level is Barn + Space. Here, the space for the pigs increases by 12.5%. So the pigs have more space in the barn. But there are two variants.
Variant 1: The barn is divided into different elements. This means partitions, different temperature and lighting conditions, as well as resting areas and water troughs.
Variant 2: The pigs have access to an outdoor run at all times.
The animals must have organic and fiber-rich enrichment material available, such as straw or sawdust. You can find a detailed video about it here.
Husbandry Form 3
Husbandry level 3 refers to a fresh air barn. Here too, there are 2 variants.
Variant 1: There is the possibility for continuous contact with the outdoor climate and access to different climate zones.
Variant 2: These are predominantly closed warm barns with outdoor runs.
The animals must have organic and fiber-rich enrichment material available, such as straw or sawdust. You can find a detailed video about it here.
Husbandry Form 4
Husbandry level 4 is outdoor run and pasture. Here, the pigs have at least 50% more space than in barn husbandry and can go outside at any time. Additionally, they have a bedded resting area.
Another option would be for the pigs to be permanently outdoors and not have a fixed barn. However, this requires a shelter with a resting area.
The animals must have organic and fiber-rich enrichment material available, such as straw or sawdust. You can find a detailed video about it here.
Husbandry Form 5
The highest husbandry form is organic. The pigs have 150% more space than in the classic barn. This requires special organic feed from the farm or region for the animals, strict medication regulations, and a prescribed outdoor access.
The animals must have organic and fiber-rich enrichment material available, such as straw or sawdust. You can find a detailed video about it here.
The Right Husbandry Form for Pigs
Now that we have clarified the different husbandry levels, let's move on to the form that we represent: the active barn. We work with the farmer Michael Schneider. Michael owns an active barn, and this has many advantages. You can find a comprehensive video about it here.
The Active Barn
Michael's active barn is roughly divided into two areas: an indoor and an outdoor area. There, the pigs have enough space to move freely and at the same time have the opportunity to go outside at any time. There are also resting places, an area for defecation, and different climate zones. The pigs also have open feeding stations and water troughs.
In addition, there is straw and toys for the animals. Michael also explains to us that the barn is constructed in such a way that he could switch to organic husbandry at any time. Legally, we would be at least at husbandry level 3. Although this cannot be clearly defined, as the possibilities and conditions could lie between 3 and 5.
In the active barn, the pigs are doing well. They live completely stress-free, can romp around and root as they please. This allows them to follow their natural instincts.
And that's how it should be. Animal welfare is not only good for the pig, it also affects the meat quality. Stress, in particular, lowers the quality of the meat. So, animal welfare also has a direct impact on the consumer. But what about free-range farming?
Free-Range Farming
Free-range pig farming is not necessarily what one initially expects. The typical image of pigs on a green meadow is a misconception. Pigs wallow and root, which would quickly turn over the land. This brings disadvantages.
Not only can pigs burden the soil, groundwater, and thus the environment in the long term, but the safety and health of the animals are also at risk. Pigs can quickly fall ill or become prey to predators.
In a barn, they can be better monitored and protected. At the same time, animals can be temporarily separated from the herd so that they can recover, because: Pigs reject sick animals.
But there are also economic disadvantages. The land consumption for free-range pig farming is so enormous that it would not be profitable for farmers. The purchasing power is not strong enough for that.
Furthermore, it competes with the cultivation of grain and vegetables. Important: Not every soil is suitable for growing food for humans. The nature of the soil defines the food. About 61% of the agricultural land used in Germany is used for animal feed. This is increasingly due to the inferior quality of the soil.
Conclusion
An active barn is a relatively new concept that brings significant advantages. Depending on its design, such a barn falls between legal husbandry levels 3 and 5.
The barn ensures animal welfare and at the same time offers the animals safety and protection from diseases. The pigs can also follow their natural instincts in the barn, which increases the meat quality. An advantage that benefits not only the animals but also consumers and farmers.
The active barn is therefore a concept that we can fully support, and we hope that this concept will play a larger role in pig farming in the future. You can find a comprehensive video about it here.
