Farrowing crates severely restrict sow movement around the most welfare-critical period of their productive life. Alternative systems are proving commercially viable while dramatically improving sow welfare.
The farrowing crate is one of animal agriculture' s most scrutinised welfare compromises. The sow' s confinement during the period of highest behavioural motivation — nesting, farrowing, nursing, and piglet care — represents a sustained welfare deprivation that research has consistently documented. Sows in crates show frustration behaviours, increased aggression, and the physiological indicators of chronic stress. The commercial justification — reduced piglet crushing mortality — is legitimate but overstated; well-managed free farrowing systems achieve equivalent or only marginally higher mortality while providing dramatically better sow welfare. The trend toward free farrowing systems reflects both improving management knowledge and growing market rejection of crate production.