Livestock

Lactating Sow Welfare in Commercial Farrowing Systems

Lactating sows in conventional farrowing crates are confined for 3-5 weeks, unable to turn around or perform nesting behaviour, causing significant welfare compromise despite the management advantages for piglet survival.

Key Facts

Sows in farrowing crates cannot turn around, lie in their preferred position or perform nest-building
Farrowing crate occupancy typically lasts 3-5 weeks from shortly before birth until weaning
Alternative systems including free-farrowing pens achieve comparable piglet survival with better sow welfare
Several EU countries including Germany and Sweden are legislating against farrowing crates

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing crate confinement causes significant welfare compromise in lactating sows, who are highly motivated to nest, explore and move freely. Scientific evidence shows that sow welfare is substantially better in free-farrowing systems without major penalties in piglet survival when properly managed. The welfare case for transition away from farrowing crates is well-established.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from producers using free-farrowing systems or outdoor farrowing as alternatives
Support farm assurance standards that set phase-out timelines for farrowing crates
Advocate for legislative reform setting mandatory farrowing crate phase-out deadlines
Support research into free-farrowing system designs that optimise both sow and piglet welfare