Pig Group Housing Outcomes: Evidence for Better Welfare

Research on group housing systems for pigs demonstrates significant welfare benefits over individual confinement, informing policy and industry transitions globally.

Key Facts

Sow gestation crates prevent virtually all natural movement and are banned or being phased out in the EU, UK, and several US states
Group-housed sows show lower cortisol levels, more affiliative behavior, and higher behavioral diversity than crate-housed individuals
Mixing unfamiliar pigs creates fighting and injury risks requiring management through space, enrichment, and group stability strategies
Electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems allow individual management of nutrition while keeping sows in social groups
Research shows group-housed pigs score better on validated welfare outcome measures including body condition and skin lesion scoring

Welfare Considerations

The evidence base for pig group housing is now robust and consistent: socially housed pigs experience better welfare across behavioral, physiological, and health indicators. Transition challenges including aggression at mixing and individual feed management are solvable with appropriate design and management. The shift away from gestation crates represents one of the most significant farmed animal welfare improvements achievable through policy change, with strong consumer support driving corporate commitments globally.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products from producers using group housing systems without gestation crates
Support legislation requiring group housing standards in jurisdictions still permitting gestation crates
Engage with retailers and food companies pushing for stronger pork welfare commitments
Learn about certified welfare labels and use purchasing power to reward higher-welfare producers