Pig Farrowing System Welfare Trade-offs

The welfare trade-offs between farrowing crates and loose farrowing systems are complex, involving competing risks to sows and piglets that require careful management to navigate.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates prevent the sow from turning around but reduce the risk of her crushing piglets by lying down carelessly.
Piglet crushing, or overlying, is the leading cause of pre-weaning piglet mortality in all farrowing systems.
Loose farrowing systems that allow the sow freedom of movement show higher piglet mortality in some studies, though results vary significantly by design.
The welfare cost to sows of confinement in farrowing crates is significant and includes inability to express nest-building behaviour.
Several European countries have banned or are phasing out farrowing crates in favour of managed loose farrowing systems.

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing system choice represents a genuine welfare dilemma where sow freedom trades against piglet mortality risk. Neither conventional crates nor current loose farrowing systems are welfare-ideal. The research direction toward free farrowing pens with temporary protection during the critical first days after birth represents the most promising welfare pathway, allowing sow freedom while managing the period of maximum crushing risk.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes that are developing and trialling free farrowing systems as welfare improvements.
Choose higher welfare certified pork from farms committed to transitioning away from farrowing crates.
Advocate for regulatory frameworks that set transition timelines for farrowing crate phase-out.
Support research into management practices and pen designs that reduce piglet mortality in loose farrowing systems.