Farrowing crates that confine sows during birth and lactation are among the most controversial practices in pork production, and welfare-positive alternatives are being adopted by progressive producers.
Farrowing crate welfare harm is severe and well-documented. Sows have a strong innate drive to build nests before farrowing — the frustration of this drive in crates without nest material causes obvious distress. Confinement preventing normal maternal behaviors causes significant psychological suffering over weeks. Free-farrowing systems that provide nest material and freedom of movement allow expression of natural maternal behavior with welfare benefits. The technical challenge of managing piglet crushing in these systems is real but solvable through good pen design, demonstrating that farrowing crate elimination is practically achievable.