Pig Sow Stall Confinement Welfare Harms

Gestation stalls confine pregnant sows in spaces so small they cannot turn around for periods of up to 16 weeks, causing severe welfare deprivation through immobility, frustration, and physical deterioration.

Key Facts

Gestation stalls measure approximately 60 by 200 cm — too narrow for a sow to turn around
Individual stall confinement has been the norm in intensive pig production to prevent fighting during pregnancy
The EU banned gestation stalls for most of pregnancy in 2013, allowing them only in the first 4 weeks post-service
Over 60% of US sows remain in gestation stalls throughout pregnancy despite major retailer commitments to phase them out
Sows in gestation stalls develop muscle atrophy, bone weakness, and show high rates of stereotypic behaviours
Group housing systems replacing stalls require careful management to prevent aggression and ensure adequate nutrition for all sows

Welfare Considerations

Gestation stalls represent one of the most widely condemned welfare practices in commercial animal agriculture. The total prevention of turning, the inability to express any natural locomotive or exploratory behaviour, and the social isolation of stall confinement cause profound psychological and physical deterioration. Sows in stalls spend up to 70% of their time performing stereotypic bar-biting, head-weaving, or sham-chewing — clear indicators of frustration and poor welfare. Muscle atrophy makes it difficult for sows to rise and walk when eventually removed. Despite EU prohibition and widespread retailer commitments, global implementation has been slow. Group housing systems can provide substantially better welfare when properly designed and managed.

What You Can Do

Choose pork and pork products certified as gestation-stall-free from group-housed sow systems
Pressure retailers and food companies to fulfil and accelerate their stall-free supply commitments
Support legislation banning gestation stall confinement in jurisdictions where this has not yet occurred
Back research into group housing management systems that prevent aggression while protecting all sows
Reduce pork consumption from supply chains that cannot verify gestation-stall-free production