Farrowing crates confine sows during and after birth to prevent piglet crushing, but cause significant welfare harm and alternatives are proving commercially viable.
Farrowing crates cause acute welfare harm by preventing nesting behaviour that sows are strongly motivated to perform before birth. The inability to turn around during a vulnerable period causes significant stress. Commercial free farrowing systems have demonstrated that sow and piglet welfare can both be protected through intelligent housing design that provides nesting areas and anti-crushing features without complete immobilisation.