Intensive Pig Housing Reform: Gestation Crates, Farrowing Crates, and the Path Forward

Gestation and farrowing crates are among the most controversial practices in intensive pig farming, severely restricting sow movement and natural behaviour. Reform is progressing but uneven.

Key Facts

Gestation crates confine pregnant sows in metal stalls so narrow the animal cannot turn around — typically used for most of the 16-week gestation
The EU banned gestation crates except for the first 4 weeks of pregnancy in 2013, affecting approximately 35 million sows
Several US states have passed gestation crate bans, and major pork companies including Smithfield have committed to phase-outs
Farrowing crates confine sows during and after birth in a small area that prevents turning — primarily to reduce piglet crushing
Farrowing crates cause significant frustration — sows in crates show more stress behaviours before and after farrowing than those in pens
Alternative farrowing systems (free-farrowing pens, loose-housed farrowing) can achieve similar or lower piglet mortality with proper management
Denmark and the Netherlands have introduced free-farrowing requirements with timelines for conventional crate phase-out
The case for free-farrowing systems is strongest in well-managed herds where stockperson skill reduces crushing risk

Welfare Considerations

Gestation and farrowing crate welfare is among the most evidence-rich debates in farm animal welfare. Sows in gestation crates cannot turn around, root, explore, or perform any of the natural behaviours that characterise normal pig life — for up to 16 weeks of pregnancy, repeated each reproductive cycle. The resulting frustration, bone weakness from inactivity, and chronic stress are well-documented. The EU's 2013 restriction to the first 4 weeks represented a major welfare improvement; full elimination remains the evidence-supported goal. Farrowing crate welfare is more nuanced: the crate was designed to solve a genuine welfare problem (piglet crushing), and its removal requires skill-intensive management to achieve equivalent outcomes. Free-farrowing research consistently shows that well-managed free-farrowing systems achieve comparable piglet survival with significantly better sow welfare — but poorly managed systems can have higher piglet mortality. Investment in stockperson training, pen design research, and farmer support for transition is needed alongside legislative timelines.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from supply chains that have phased out gestation crates and committed to free-farrowing
Support legislative phase-out timelines for gestation and farrowing crates with adequate transition support for farmers
Advocate for investment in free-farrowing system research and stockperson training that enables successful transition
Engage retailers about their pork supply chain standards — many major retailers have gestation crate phase-out commitments
Support research into optimal free-farrowing pen design that achieves both sow welfare and piglet survival goals
Learn about the evidence base for crate-free pig farming and share this information in food policy discussions