indoorshoused

Indoorshoused is an adjective used to describe organisms or items kept indoors within a building or structure for management, care, or study. It appears mainly in industry and scientific discourse as a contrast to outdoors or free-ranging conditions. It is not a formal taxonomic category.

In animal management, indoorshoused animals include livestock such as poultry, pigs, cattle in barns, as well as pets kept inside homes or shelters. Indoor housing typically employs climate control, lighting regimes, feed and water systems, and waste handling. Proponents cite protection from weather, predators, and disease, as well as easier monitoring and biosecurity. Critics raise welfare concerns when space, enrichment, and social needs are not adequately addressed.

In research and laboratory contexts, many species are indoorshoused to improve observer access, experimental control, and data consistency. Ethical review and welfare regulations often require environmental enrichment, appropriate group housing, and steps to minimize stress.

In horticulture and indoor farming, the concept overlaps with controlled-environment agriculture; crops are grown inside facilities such as greenhouses or rooms with regulated temperature, light, and humidity. The term indoorshoused is less common in plant contexts, with terms like indoor-grown or indoor cultivation being more typical.

The usage of indoorshoused varies by sector, and there is no universal definition.