Group housing for gestating sows requires careful management to prevent aggression and deliver the welfare benefits over individual confinement.
The transition from gestation crates to group housing is welfare-positive overall but requires management expertise to deliver its benefits. The key challenge is social aggression when sows are mixed, which can be reduced through stable group formation, sufficient feeding stations, and adequate space. Well-managed group housing allows sows to exercise, maintain social relationships, and perform natural rooting and foraging behaviors that are completely prevented in crates. The welfare case for the transition is strong when supported by training and infrastructure investment.