Gestation crates that confine pregnant sows in spaces too small to turn around are among the most criticized practices in animal agriculture, and reform progress has been significant but incomplete.
Gestation crate reform represents one of the longest-running and highest-profile campaigns in farm animal welfare, with meaningful industry movement driven by both regulatory change and consumer pressure. The welfare case against gestation crates is unambiguous — confining a social, intelligent animal in a space too small to turn around for the majority of her reproductive life causes chronic physical and psychological suffering. Progress has been real but uneven: EU bans and US state legislation have driven industry change in some regions, while others maintain the practice. Completing this transition globally remains an important animal welfare priority.