Farrowing crates — narrow metal stalls that confine sows during and after birth — prevent crushing of piglets but severely restrict sow movement and natural maternal behavior.
Farrowing crates represent a genuine welfare trade-off with no simple resolution. The restriction of sow movement prevents a significant proportion of piglet crushing deaths — a real welfare benefit. But the confinement denies sows the ability to perform strong nesting, rooting, and movement behaviors across a multi-week period, causing measurable frustration and distress. The welfare of both the sow and her piglets must be considered together. Research shows that well-designed loose housing with anti-crush provisions can achieve similar piglet survival rates while substantially improving sow welfare — making the crate welfare deficit addressable through investment in better systems rather than a permanent trade-off.