Pig Farrowing Systems and Sow Welfare

The design of farrowing systems profoundly affects sow welfare, with conventional farrowing crates preventing natural maternal behavior.

Key Facts

Conventional farrowing crates confine sows in a space so small they cannot turn around
Crates were introduced to prevent sow rolling and crushing of piglets, which reduced piglet mortality
Alternative farrowing systems allow sow movement while managing piglet crushing risk
Several European countries are implementing phase-outs of farrowing crates in response to welfare concerns

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate represents one of the most significant welfare compromises in modern pig production. Sows in crates cannot perform nest-building behavior before farrowing — a strongly motivated behavior that they attempt repeatedly even without materials. They cannot move freely to adopt comfortable positions during the lengthy farrowing process, and they cannot interact normally with their piglets. Frustration of maternal behavior causes measurable stress and negative emotional states. Alternative systems including free-farrowing pens and lower-confinement systems demonstrate that piglet welfare and sow welfare can both be protected with appropriate design and management.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring phase-out of farrowing crates with transition timelines
Choose pork certified from free-farrowing or alternative farrowing systems
Advocate for research funding into effective free-farrowing system designs
Engage with retailers to encourage sourcing policies that exclude conventional farrowing crate pork