The welfare debate over farrowing crates for sows giving birth, including piglet safety arguments and alternatives that meet both sow and piglet needs.
Farrowing crate welfare is genuinely complex rather than a simple case of industry versus welfare advocates. The crate prevents the sow from expressing any maternal behavior and causes severe welfare compromise through restriction — but unrestricted sows in poorly designed systems do kill significant numbers of piglets by lying on them. The resolution lies in farrowing pen design: nests with anti-crush rails, appropriate substrate for nesting behavior, and space for sow movement while maintaining structural piglet protection. These systems exist, work, and represent the credible path forward that meets both sow welfare and piglet survival needs. The transition requires investment, and it is investment that the welfare science clearly justifies.