Public Attitudes to Housing Systems for Pregnant Pigs

Qualitative analysis of comments showed that supporters of gestation stalls expressed concern about the spread of disease and aggression between animals in less confined systems, whereas supporters of group housing placed more emphasis on the sow's ability to interact socially and perform natural behaviors. Support for both systems was also influenced by misperceptions, for example that group housing commonly contains straw bedding.

The data provided give qualitative and quantitative responses to two questions regarding level of support for either housing system (before (referred to in data set as 257) and after (439) the provision of additional information), demographic data, qualitative data on unique comments authored by specific participants, as well as data on which comments participants voted on to support their position. Data is also shared regarding self-reports of which types of information participants accessed and how this affected their attitudes.