Gestation stalls confine pregnant sows in spaces too small to turn around, causing significant welfare harm during long pregnancies.
Gestation stall confinement prevents sows from turning around, lying comfortably in natural postures, and engaging in any social or exploratory behaviour for the majority of their pregnancy. This extreme confinement causes physical harm including weakened muscles and bones, and psychological harm including stereotypic behaviours and compromised maternal behaviour. Group housing with electronic sow feeding provides welfare improvements while maintaining production, demonstrating that stall confinement is not economically necessary.