The farrowing crate confines sows for several weeks around birth to prevent crushing of piglets, but causes significant welfare compromise to the sow through inability to perform natural nesting behaviour.
Sows in farrowing crates experience significant frustration from the inability to build a nest: they show repeated rooting and pawing against the floor in thwarted nesting attempts. Confinement for 4-6 weeks causes physical deterioration including muscle weakness and foot problems. The welfare trade-off between sow welfare and piglet crushing can be managed through free-farrowing system design without crates.