The conventional farrowing crate confines sows for 3-5 weeks around birth, preventing natural behaviour. Alternative systems aim to protect piglets while allowing sow movement and nesting behaviour.
The farrowing crate debate encapsulates the central tension in farm animal welfare: preventing one harm (piglet crushing) while causing another (sow confinement). Scientific progress has demonstrated that this is a false dilemma. Carefully designed freedom farrowing systems with angled walls, piglet escape zones, and nesting material provision allow sows to express their strongly motivated nesting behaviour while maintaining piglet survival rates equivalent to crate systems. The key variables are pen design, nesting material provision, and stockperson vigilance during the critical first 48 hours. Phase-out timelines require investment from producers and price signal support from retailers and consumers.