Pig Farrowing Crate Reform: Progress and Challenges

Farrowing crates confine sows during and after birth, preventing natural behaviours. Reform movements are gaining traction but face practical and economic resistance.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates are metal cages typically 0.6m x 2m that confine sows from a few days before birth until piglets are weaned at 3-4 weeks.
In the wild, sows walk up to several kilometres to build a nest and farrow in seclusion.
Crated sows cannot turn around, engage in nesting behaviour, or interact naturally with their piglets.
Studies show crated sows have elevated cortisol and display high rates of stereotypic bar-biting.
Several EU countries and UK producers are transitioning to farrowing pens that allow sow movement.
Crushing of piglets by the sow is the primary industry argument for crates, though well-designed pens can reduce this risk significantly.

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate is one of the most contested welfare issues in pig production. The sow's inability to move, nest, or engage naturally with her piglets causes significant frustration and chronic stress — measurable through behaviour, cortisol levels, and stereotypy rates. Reform is technically feasible: several alternative farrowing systems (including semi-open crates, free-farrowing pens, and deep-litter systems) achieve comparable or better piglet survival with proper management. The barriers are primarily economic — retrofitting existing buildings is expensive — and require industry-wide adoption to avoid penalising early movers. Consumer demand and retailer policy commitments are the fastest routes to systemic change.

What You Can Do

Choose pork and bacon products from farms that have committed to free-farrowing systems.
Support Compassion in World Farming's campaign for an EU farrowing crate ban.
Ask your supermarket about their pork supplier's farrowing system policies.
Support legislation in your country or region banning farrowing crates with appropriate transition periods.