Pig Farrowing Crate Welfare Science

The farrowing crate confines sows during birth and nursing, preventing natural behaviors while reducing piglet crushing.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates restrict sow movement to standing and lying only
Sows spend approximately 5 weeks per litter cycle in farrowing confinement
Sow motivation to perform nest-building behavior before birth is extremely strong
Loose farrowing systems show higher piglet mortality in some studies but welfare benefits for sows
Several European countries have banned or restricted conventional farrowing crates

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate represents one of the most contested welfare issues in pig production. For the sow, confinement prevents nest-building — a powerful motivated behavior that cannot be performed, causing frustration — along with restricting all movement and social interaction for weeks. For piglets, crushing risk is reduced but disease transmission in close quarters remains problematic. Alternative systems that allow nesting behavior and movement while incorporating anti-crushing features represent the welfare frontier, balancing competing interests without eliminating either.

What You Can Do

Choose pork certified under farrowing crate-free standards
Advocate for phased elimination of conventional farrowing crates in legislation
Support research into nest-building facilitation in loose farrowing systems
Reduce pork consumption or choose plant-based alternatives
Ask retailers and food companies about their farrowing crate policies