Farrowing crates restrict sow movement to reduce piglet crushing, but cause severe welfare compromise for the confined sow, and alternatives including free-farrowing pens are now proven to be viable.
The farrowing crate exemplifies a welfare compromise in which one animal's welfare is prioritised over another's. While crates reduce piglet crushing mortality, they impose severe restrictions on sow behaviour - including nest building, turning, exploration, and social interaction - that cause significant frustration and distress. Research shows that sows in farrowing crates have elevated cortisol levels and perform more stereotypic behaviours than those in free-farrowing systems. The success of free-farrowing systems in Nordic countries demonstrates that this trade-off is not inevitable with appropriate investment in pen design and stockmanship.