Free-Range Farrowing Systems for Sow Welfare

Free-range farrowing systems allow sows to express natural nesting behavior and have greater freedom of movement than conventional farrowing crates. They represent a significant welfare improvement.

Key Facts

Conventional farrowing crates confine sows in a space too small to turn around for 4-6 weeks
Farrowing crates prevent piglet crushing deaths but prevent all natural maternal behavior
Free-range sows build nests before farrowing — a highly motivated behavior
Nest-building involves gathering vegetation and rooting for substrate over several hours
Outdoor farrowing systems have lower piglet mortality in some studies despite crate absence
Several European countries including Sweden and Switzerland have banned farrowing crates

Welfare Considerations

Conventional farrowing crates cause significant welfare harm by frustrating the strong nesting motivation of sows close to farrowing. Sows prevented from nest-building show increased stereotypic rooting, panting, and stress behaviors. Free-range farrowing allows sows to fulfill this behavioral need and engage in maternal care behaviors impossible in crates. Managed to reduce piglet crushing (through design of farrowing huts and supervision at farrowing), free-range systems can achieve comparable piglet survival while dramatically improving sow welfare. The welfare case for transitioning away from farrowing crates is scientifically robust.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from farms that use free-range or loose-housed farrowing systems
Support campaigns for farrowing crate bans in countries that still permit them
Advocate for phase-out timelines for farrowing crates in national legislation
Encourage retailers to commit to sourcing only from crate-free farrowing systems