Farrowing crates confine sows during and after birth, preventing natural maternal behaviour. Alternative systems can improve welfare but require skilled management to maintain piglet survival rates.
The farrowing crate debate highlights the tension between sow welfare and piglet survival that is central to welfare trade-offs in intensive pig farming. Sows in crates experience profound frustration of nesting motivation before farrowing — a strongly driven behaviour that cannot be expressed. The physiological and psychological impact of weeks of confinement per pregnancy cycle, across multiple pregnancies, represents a major cumulative welfare burden. Alternative systems that allow free movement and nesting expression are achievable without major piglet mortality increases when accompanied by appropriate management skills, pen design, and stockperson training. The transition challenge is real but surmountable, as demonstrated by Scandinavian producers who have largely made the shift.