Farrowing crates severely restrict sow movement at one of the most physically demanding periods of her life. Progress toward free farrowing alternatives is accelerating with growing evidence for their viability.
Farrowing crates represent one of the most contested welfare restrictions in pig farming, with genuine tensions between sow welfare, which benefits from freedom of movement, and piglet welfare, which risks crushing when sows can move freely. The welfare case against farrowing crates is strong: sows are confined for 3 to 5 weeks at a physiologically demanding time, prevented from performing strongly motivated nesting behaviour, and unable to respond normally to their environment or piglets. Progressive free farrowing systems that provide crate-free farrowing with protective features including protected piglet areas and temporary optional confinement around farrowing demonstrate that the welfare trade-off can be managed with appropriate system design and stockmanship.