Intensive Farming

Pig Gestating Sow Group Housing

Group housing of gestating sows following early EU bans has demonstrated that better welfare is achievable with appropriate management.

Key Facts

EU ban on gestating sow stalls took effect in 2013
Group housing allows locomotion and social behavior prevented by stalls
Electronic sow feeders reduce competition and enable individual feeding
Management of aggression at introduction remains the primary welfare challenge

Welfare Considerations

Gestating sows in individual stalls cannot turn around, lie comfortably, or perform natural movements for the majority of their productive lives causing chronic welfare compromise. Group housing enables exercise, social behavior, and natural movement substantially improving welfare. Electronic sow feeding systems enable individual nutrition management reducing feeding competition. The transition has demonstrated that high welfare and efficient production are compatible.

What You Can Do

Support pork from sow stall-free operations
Advocate for complete elimination of sow stalls globally
Buy from producers with confirmed group housing throughout gestation
Back research into group housing management reducing aggression