Sow Welfare and Farrowing Systems

The welfare of sows — female breeding pigs — is one of the most contested areas in commercial pig farming, centring on the use of farrowing crates that prevent movement but reduce piglet crushing deaths.

Key Facts

Conventional farrowing crates confine sows for 4-5 weeks around birth, preventing them from turning around or expressing nest-building behaviour
Sows have strong nest-building motivation: deprived sows show frustration behaviour and elevated stress hormones before farrowing
Loose farrowing systems allow full movement but have higher piglet mortality from crushing by the sow, typically 10-15% vs 5-8% in crates
Several European countries have committed to phasing out farrowing crates; the UK Welfare of Animals Act regulates crate duration
Alternative systems including free-farrowing pens with protective rails aim to reduce crushing while allowing sow movement

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing system choice involves a genuine welfare trade-off: crates severely restrict sow welfare for weeks, while loose systems increase piglet mortality. The emerging evidence base favours well-designed free-farrowing systems with training and management support, achieving acceptable piglet survival while significantly improving sow welfare. The welfare cost to sows of crate confinement — suppressed nest-building, inability to escape aversive stimuli, postural restriction — is substantial and well-documented.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products certified under higher-welfare schemes that require free-farrowing or loose housing systems
Advocate for phasing out of conventional farrowing crates in favour of well-designed alternative systems
Support research into farrowing system design that optimises both sow welfare and piglet survival
Engage retailers and food companies to commit to sourcing pork from sow welfare-certified supply chains