The global transition from gestation stalls to group housing for pregnant sows represents ongoing progress, but implementation pace and quality vary enormously by region.
Gestation housing reform has progressed significantly but unevenly. Where group housing is well managed with electronic sow feeders, proper introductory protocols, and adequate space, welfare is substantially better than stalls. Where group housing is implemented minimally with inadequate management, the reduction in behavioral freedom may not translate into actual welfare improvement. Implementation quality matters as much as system type.