Hoop barns were designed to address welfare issues of pigs, but the results are fatter carcasses from higher feed intake and a poorer feed conversion. Pigs in the hoop barns consumed about 7% more feed than pigs in the confinement barn. Efficiency of gain was about 6% worse for pigs in the hoop barn compared to the confinement barn. Pigs reared in confinement produced loins with more marbling, lower drip loss, and lower shear force (tenderness) values than similarly fed pigs housed in hoop barns. Total labor required to care for pigs in the confinement barn was about 14 minutes/pig placed, while in the hoop barns 8.5 minutes were required to care for each pig placed. The value per pig marketed was at least $5.00/head lower in the hoop system than confinement, due mostly to greater back fat and lighter weight for pigs marketed from the hoops. The combination of bedding costs and lower sales prices for pigs in the hoop systems resulted in negative net returns for the hoops compared to the confinement system. Pigs housed in the hoop barns showed more exploratory behavior and were easier to handle, and the bedding and large group size provided more opportunities for locomotion and environmental stimulation. They were less fearful of humans and objects, which make them easier to handle. Because they are easier to handle, stress at load out becomes less, meaning no meat quality loss from the stress.