Farrowing crates confine sows for weeks around birth, severely restricting movement. A growing evidence base supports welfare-positive alternatives that protect piglets without full confinement.
The farrowing crate represents one of the starkest welfare trade-offs in farming: the sow cannot perform basic behaviours (turning, nesting, rooting) for up to five weeks, causing significant frustration and distress — but this restriction reduces the risk of piglets being crushed by the sow. However, the evidence increasingly shows that well-designed loose farrowing systems with appropriate heating, nest areas, and protective rails can achieve piglet survival rates comparable to crates while allowing sows freedom of movement. The welfare-positive path requires investment in better design and farm management rather than accepting permanent sow confinement.