Pigs Farrowing System Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

The farrowing system used for sows giving birth significantly affects welfare during one of the highest-risk periods for both sow and piglets.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates restrict sow movement for 3-5 weeks around the birth
Freedom farrowing systems allow sow movement while providing piglet protection
UK trials show freedom farrowing can match crate systems for piglet mortality with good management
Nest-building motivation is strong in sows pre-farrowing and is frustrated in crate systems
Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden have introduced regulations restricting farrowing crate use

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing crate welfare involves a genuine management trade-off: farrowing crates were introduced to reduce crushing mortality of piglets but impose significant welfare costs on sows by preventing movement, nest-building, and normal postural changes during and after birth. Freedom farrowing systems that allow sow movement while providing structural support to prevent crushing have been developed and trialled in multiple countries. Results show that with good management, freedom farrowing can achieve comparable piglet survival while dramatically improving sow welfare during the farrowing period. The direction of travel in European regulation is toward freedom farrowing, reflecting both welfare science and public values.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from farms using freedom farrowing or enhanced farrowing systems
Support campaigns for farrowing crate phase-out timelines
Advocate for UK regulatory action on farrowing crate restriction
Ask pork retailers about the farrowing system standards they require from suppliers