Farrowing crates confine sows during birth and nursing in spaces too small to turn around, preventing natural nesting behavior and causing significant welfare harm despite the stated goal of protecting piglets.
Farrowing crate welfare involves a genuine tension: the crate harms the sow while protecting piglets from crushing. The sow is unable to perform nest-building behavior that is highly motivated at parturition, causing clear frustration and stress. Prolonged immobility during the 3-4 week lactation period causes physical deterioration including muscle weakness and joint problems. Alternative systems that allow nest-building while reducing crushing through pen design represent genuine progress, but require investment and management skill. The evidence increasingly supports that well-designed loose farrowing systems can protect piglet welfare while substantially improving sow welfare.