Gestation crates confine pregnant sows in spaces too small to turn around for weeks or months. Welfare evidence overwhelmingly shows these crates cause severe suffering, yet they remain standard practice in many countries.
Prolonged confinement in gestation crates causes severe physical and psychological suffering. Sows cannot perform any normal behaviours — they cannot turn, root, walk, or interact normally with other pigs. Stereotypic bar-biting develops in a majority of crated sows, indicating chronic frustration and stress. Muscles atrophy from lack of movement. Foot and leg problems develop from standing on concrete or slatted floors without ability to change position. The welfare evidence against gestation crates is among the strongest in all of farm animal science — there is no serious scientific defence of the practice.