Gestation crates that confine pregnant sows individually for most of their pregnancy cause prolonged suffering and are being phased out in many regions.
Confinement in gestation crates prevents sows from performing any normal behaviour including turning around, social interaction, and lying in chosen positions. This prolonged restriction causes chronic frustration, learned helplessness, and physical health problems including urinary tract infections and leg weakness from disuse. The welfare case against gestation crates is overwhelming and has driven legislative change in the EU, UK, and many US states. Complete phase-out of gestation crates is the appropriate welfare response.