Gestation crates confine pregnant sows in spaces too small to turn around for up to 16 weeks — a practice banned in the EU but still common in North America.
Gestation crates represent one of the most stark examples of an animal welfare problem where the science is clear, the alternatives are proven and the primary obstacle is economic inertia. Sows in gestation crates cannot perform even the most basic species-typical movements for the majority of their reproductive lives. The suffering this causes — muscle atrophy, stereotypies, psychological deprivation — is not disputed by veterinary science. Group housing for sows is standard in European farming and achieves comparable reproductive performance. Consumer and legislative pressure has driven significant change and more pressure is needed to complete the transition.