Farrowing Systems and Sow Welfare

The system in which sows give birth and nurse piglets has major implications for sow and piglet welfare.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates confine sows so tightly they cannot turn around for 3-5 weeks
Farrowing crate use has been banned in Sweden since 1988 and is under review in the EU
Free-farrowing systems allow sows to express nest-building behaviour before birth
Nest-building motivation in sows is extremely strong in late gestation
Piglet crushing is more common in free-farrowing but can be mitigated by good system design

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing crates prevent sows from performing the nest-building behaviour they are highly motivated to express before parturition. This frustration causes significant distress. For the 3-5 weeks of confinement, sows cannot lie in a natural posture, groom themselves fully, or interact normally with their piglets. Free-farrowing systems with well-designed crates reduce crushing risk while allowing sow movement. The EU is moving toward banning farrowing crates, requiring a 10-year transition to alternative systems.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products from farms using free-farrowing systems
Support campaigns for a ban on farrowing crates
Learn about the nest-building behaviour of sows and why it matters
Advocate for welfare-positive alternatives to farrowing crates
Support research into free-farrowing system design that minimises piglet crushing