Farrowing crates confine sows during and after birth, preventing them from expressing natural behaviors for weeks at a time — a major welfare issue driving industry reform.
The farrowing crate represents one of the most severe behavioral restriction systems in industrial animal agriculture. Sows are highly motivated to nest-build before giving birth — this drive is so strong that crate-confined sows show intense, repetitive rooting behavior on bare floors for hours, a clear sign of frustrated need. The confinement period of 3-5 weeks per reproductive cycle means sows spend a significant portion of their lives unable to perform basic natural movements. Free farrowing systems demonstrate that this welfare harm is not necessary for production — it reflects cost minimization rather than welfare necessity.