Space Allowances in Farm Animal Housing

How minimum space allowances affect farm animal welfare, the science behind current standards, and the case for increasing them.

Key Facts

EU minimum space standards for broiler chickens allow 33 kg/m2 under the Broiler Directive
Pigs under EU regulations receive 0.65m2 per pig at 85-110 kg bodyweight
Evidence shows current minimums are insufficient to allow full natural behavior
Space allowance is correlated with aggression, injury, and disease in multiple species
Higher welfare certification schemes typically require space allowances 50-100% above legal minimums

Welfare Considerations

Space allowance is one of the most direct determinants of farm animal welfare, yet minimum legal standards in most countries fall below what animals need to perform natural behaviors. Crowded animals show increased aggression, reduced access to resources, and higher disease burden. Yet space is expensive, and industry lobbying has kept legal minimums low. Higher welfare certification schemes demonstrate that more generous space allowances are commercially viable and consumer-supported. Closing the gap between legal minimums and welfare-evidenced requirements is one of the clearest policy opportunities.

What You Can Do

Choose products from certification schemes with higher space standards
Support policy campaigns to increase minimum legal space allowances
Share research on how space affects farm animal welfare and behavior
Ask food companies to commit to higher-welfare space standards in their supply chains
Advocate for space allowances based on behavioral needs rather than minimum regulatory compliance