Farmed Animals

Farrowing Crate Alternatives and Welfare

The farrowing crate restricts sow movement for weeks but alternatives that protect piglets are being developed and adopted.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates prevent sow movement to protect piglets from crushing
However, they deny sows the ability to turn around, nest build, or mother their piglets normally
Alternative farrowing systems including PigSAFE pens reduce crushing while allowing more sow movement
Some countries including Sweden have used alternative systems for decades without unacceptable piglet losses
Commercial scale alternatives are more expensive but demonstrably feasible

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate is among the most welfare-restrictive routine confinement systems in commercial farming. While piglet crushing is a genuine concern, alternative systems that address piglet safety while allowing sow freedom of movement have been demonstrated to be commercially viable. Transition funding and industry commitment are the main barriers to change.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for a phased ban on farrowing crates
Choose pork from producers using farrowing crate alternatives
Advocate for government transition funding to support farrowing system conversion
Support research into optimised farrowing system designs
Engage with farmer communities about welfare-positive farrowing alternatives