Group Housing for Gestating Sows: Welfare Evidence

The scientific evidence behind the EU ban on individual sow gestation stalls and what group housing means for sow welfare.

Key Facts

The EU banned gestation stalls (sow stalls) for the majority of gestation in 2013
Gestation stalls are still legal in the US, Canada, Australia, and most other countries
Individual stalls prevent sows from turning around for weeks or months of pregnancy
Group housing causes initial aggression but chronic stress is lower in established groups
Many food companies including major retailers have committed to sow-stall-free supply chains

Welfare Considerations

Gestation stalls confine pregnant sows individually in spaces too small to turn around for periods of up to 16 weeks. The chronic restriction of movement causes frustration, repetitive stereotypic behaviors (bar-biting, head-weaving), and muscle wastage from inability to exercise. Research consistently shows that sow welfare is significantly better in group housing despite the management challenges of aggression during group formation. The EU ban demonstrates that commercial pork production is viable without gestation stalls - a model that other countries have been slow to follow.

What You Can Do

Avoid pork products from countries where gestation stalls remain legal unless alternatives are certified
Support food companies that have made sow-stall-free commitments
Advocate for gestation stall bans in your country
Choose pork from certified sow-stall-free systems
Share information about gestation stalls with consumers who may not be aware of this practice