Group housing for gestating sows is now required across the EU and UK, representing a major welfare improvement over individual stalls, though implementation quality varies enormously.
Group housing allows sows to move freely, form social bonds and express natural behaviour, representing a fundamental improvement over gestation stalls where movement was impossible. However, poor group management including inadequate space, competition for feed and flooring that causes lameness can negate welfare benefits. The quality of group housing implementation matters as much as the system itself.