Farrowing crates prevent sow movement to protect piglets from crushing, but cause severe welfare deprivation — and alternatives are increasingly proving viable.
Farrowing crates represent one of the starkest welfare tradeoffs in intensive pig production. The sow experiences profound behavioral frustration from confinement during a period of intense nesting motivation, while her welfare interests are subordinated to the survival management of her litter. Alternative systems — loose farrowing pens with carefully designed escape areas, turn pens, and deep straw — can achieve comparable piglet survival while allowing sow movement and nest-building. The welfare case for transitioning away from crates is strong, and commercial viability of alternatives is increasingly demonstrated at scale.