Pig Gestation Crate Phase-Out and Reform

Gestation crates confine pregnant sows in spaces too narrow to turn around, representing one of the most contested welfare issues in pig farming.

Key Facts

Gestation crates typically measure approximately 2m x 0.6m, preventing sows from turning around for most of their 16-week gestation
The EU phased out gestation crates beyond the first 4 weeks of pregnancy in 2013, requiring group housing thereafter
Over a dozen US states have banned gestation crates, and major pork buyers including McDonald's have made phase-out commitments
Sows in group housing show more natural social behavior, exercise, and positive welfare indicators than crated sows
Challenges of group housing include aggression management, feeding competition, and lameness on hard floors without adequate bedding
Careful management, adequate space, and feeding systems like electronic sow feeding (ESF) can make group housing work well for both sows and producers

Welfare Considerations

Gestation crate confinement prevents sows from performing virtually any natural behavior for months at a time, producing a state of chronic frustration that welfare science consistently identifies as a major welfare failure. The transition to group housing is not cost-free, but it is manageable with appropriate systems and stockpersonship, and the welfare benefit to millions of sows is substantial.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products certified under systems prohibiting gestation crate use
Support campaigns for legislative bans on gestation crates in jurisdictions without existing restrictions
Ask pork retailers and food service companies about their sow housing commitments
Reduce pork consumption overall while prioritizing higher-welfare certified options