Livestock

Livestock Group Housing for Sows and Welfare

The transition from sow stalls to group housing has improved welfare but introduced new challenges.

Key Facts

Sow stalls (gestation crates) have been banned in EU since 2013
Group housing allows movement and social interaction
Aggression at mixing is a major welfare challenge in group systems
Electronic sow feeders reduce competition but require careful management

Welfare Considerations

Group-housed sows can engage in social behaviour, move freely, and express more natural behaviour than those in stalls. However, poorly managed group housing with inadequate space, resources, and mixing management causes aggression injuries, hunger stress at feeders, and welfare problems that can equal or exceed those in stalls. Good management is essential.

What You Can Do

Support high-welfare group housing standards, not just a ban on stalls
Advocate for space allowances above the minimum legal requirements
Choose assurance-scheme pork that verifies management quality
Back research into aggression prevention in group sow housing