Gestation crates confine pregnant sows in spaces too small to turn around, representing one of the most criticized and widely condemned practices in modern animal agriculture.
Gestation crates represent one of the most severe and sustained welfare abuses in modern animal agriculture. Sows — highly intelligent, social animals — are confined in metal stalls for 16 weeks per pregnancy cycle, unable to perform any natural behavior. The psychological suffering is profound: chronic frustration, boredom, and loss of control over any aspect of their environment leads to stereotypic behaviors in up to 40% of crated sows. Physical consequences include muscle atrophy, joint problems, pressure sores, and urinary tract infections. Sows who cannot move cannot follow maternal instincts. Despite robust evidence that group housing produces equivalent or better reproductive performance, the transition has been slow due to capital costs of retrofitting facilities. Consumer pressure and corporate commitments have driven more change than regulation in many regions.