Free farrowing systems allow sows to move freely during and after birth, enabling natural maternal behavior. Evidence demonstrates these systems can maintain commercial performance while dramatically improving sow welfare.
Free farrowing systems demonstrate that the welfare compromise of farrowing crates — preventing sow movement to reduce crushing — is not technically necessary. Well-designed free farrowing systems using nest boxes, sensor floors, and management protocols achieve comparable piglet survival while allowing the natural maternal behaviors that farrowing crates completely prevent. The commercial success of free farrowing in Sweden and Finland over decades provides compelling evidence that industry-wide adoption is feasible without production penalty. Legislative phase-out of farrowing crates is both welfare-necessary and technically achievable.