Sow Welfare During Lactation: Critical but Overlooked

The lactation period is one of the most physiologically demanding phases of a sow's life and a critical welfare window — yet farrowing systems often prioritise piglet survival metrics over maternal welfare.

Key Facts

A modern high-producing sow may nurse 14-16 piglets simultaneously, creating extreme metabolic demands that deplete body reserves rapidly
Farrowing crates — used in over 90% of European and North American pork production — restrict sow movement to a narrow standing-lying space for 3-5 weeks
Confined sows show elevated cortisol, higher rates of stereotypic behaviour, and reduced opportunities for maternal behaviour expression
Sows in well-designed free-farrowing systems show nest-building behaviour before birth — a highly motivated behaviour that confinement completely prevents
Piglet crushing mortality in free-farrowing systems with good pen design is now comparable to farrowing crates in well-managed herds
Some EU member states have set timelines for farrowing crate phase-out, with Denmark and Sweden among the most progressive
Heat stress during lactation is common in conventional farrowing facilities and reduces feed intake, worsening body condition loss

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate represents one of the most contested welfare compromises in modern livestock farming. From a piglet survival perspective, the crate provides protection against crushing by the sow. From a sow welfare perspective, weeks of near-total immobility during the most physically demanding period of her life causes profound frustration and suffering. Sows in crates cannot nest, cannot properly position themselves for nursing, cannot move away from piglets, and cannot perform the full repertoire of maternal behaviours their biology motivates them toward. The mounting evidence that well-designed free-farrowing systems can achieve comparable piglet mortality rates substantially undermines the welfare-for-welfare trade-off argument used to justify crate retention.

What You Can Do

Purchase pork products certified to welfare standards that prohibit or limit farrowing crate use
Support campaigns for legislative timelines for farrowing crate phase-out in your country
Ask retailers and food service providers about their farrowing crate policies and commitments to free-farrowing transition
Support research into optimal free-farrowing pen design that protects piglets without compromising sow welfare
Engage with farmers on the economic transition support needed to make free-farrowing systems viable
Share evidence about free-farrowing welfare outcomes to counter the narrative that crates are necessary for piglet survival