Gestation crates that confine pregnant sows for 16 weeks per pregnancy are being phased out globally following significant welfare pressure, with group housing systems demonstrating viable alternatives.
Gestation crate reform represents one of the most significant structural welfare improvements in pig production in recent decades. The welfare case is strong: sows in crates cannot walk, turn around, or perform any natural behaviors for most of their reproductive lives. Stereotypies and learned helplessness indicate profound chronic suffering. Group housing systems that provide adequate space and appropriate management achieve comparable production performance with dramatically better welfare outcomes. The transition has been driven by corporate commitments responding to consumer and advocacy pressure, demonstrating the effectiveness of market-based welfare reform.