Farrowing crates that confine sows during birth and lactation are separate from gestation crates and represent a distinct welfare debate with different tradeoffs.
The welfare case for farrowing crate elimination is strong from the sow's perspective but complicated by genuine concerns about piglet crushing in free farrowing systems. Sows confined in farrowing crates for weeks cannot turn around, maintain posture, or express any natural nesting behavior — significant welfare harms in a species that builds elaborate nests before birth. Well-designed free farrowing systems with appropriate nest substrates and pen geometry can achieve low crushing rates alongside dramatically better sow welfare.