The global transition away from gestation crates toward group housing for breeding sows has been the most significant structural change in pig welfare in decades, with lessons for implementation.
The transition from gestation crates to group housing represents a genuine welfare improvement for millions of sows who previously spent most of their adult lives in spaces too small to turn around. Implementation quality varies significantly, and poorly managed group housing can expose sows to chronic aggression stress. Best practice group housing includes stable social groups, electronic feeding to prevent competition, enrichment, and adequate space. The transition demonstrates that large-scale welfare improvements in commercial pig production are achievable when regulatory frameworks and consumer pressure align.