Traditional farrowing crates prevent sows from turning around for weeks around birth, causing severe restriction of natural behavior, and welfare-focused alternatives are increasingly being adopted internationally.
The farrowing crate is one of the most contested housing systems in modern pig farming from a welfare perspective. Sows are highly motivated to build nests before giving birth, and confinement in narrow crates prevents this behavior entirely. The frustration of strong, unfulfilled behavioral needs causes measurable stress and suffering over a period of weeks. Loose-housed alternatives such as farrowing pens, free-farrowing pens, and outdoor systems allow sows to express nesting behavior and move freely, providing substantially better welfare. The challenge lies in managing piglet crushing, which requires attentive stockmanship and good pen design with creep areas and protective rails. Evidence shows that well-managed loose systems can achieve similar piglet survival rates to crate systems while dramatically improving sow welfare.