Gestation crates that confine pregnant sows in spaces too small to turn around are among the most controversial practices in industrial pig farming, with bans spreading across many countries.
Gestation crates prevent sows from performing virtually any natural behaviour. A sow in a crate cannot turn around, root, explore, or engage in meaningful social interaction for most of her reproductive life. The psychological effects are severe: stereotypic behaviours develop in the majority of crated sows within weeks of confinement, indicating chronic frustration and stress. The transition to group housing, while welfare-positive overall, introduces new management challenges around aggression and resource competition that require skilled stockmanship and appropriate facility design to manage. The welfare benefit of the transition is clear and well-evidenced despite these implementation challenges.