Farrowing crates — small cages confining sows during and after birth — prevent maternal behaviours while protecting piglets. The welfare debate around crates versus free-farrowing is well-evidenced.
The farrowing crate debate exemplifies a genuine welfare tension: the crate protects piglet welfare (reducing crushing mortality) at severe cost to sow welfare (preventing all natural behaviour). The scientific consensus has shifted toward recognising that this trade-off is not inevitable. Well-designed free-farrowing systems — incorporating protected nest areas that physically prevent sows from lying on piglets, appropriate bedding for nest-building, and space that allows the sow to turn around — can achieve comparable piglet survival to crated systems while dramatically improving sow welfare. The investment required for free-farrowing system redesign is the primary barrier to adoption. Countries that have banned crates demonstrate that industry can adapt when legislative pressure requires it. Consumer demand for higher-welfare pork is an important driver of voluntary adoption ahead of legislation.