Farrowing crates prevent sow movement for weeks around birth, causing significant welfare harm. Alternative farrowing systems demonstrate that piglet protection and sow welfare are compatible.
Farrowing crate welfare represents a clear case where the industry standard imposes severe, prolonged welfare harm on a highly sentient animal for the sake of economic convenience. The scientific evidence is clear that sows are highly motivated to perform nesting behavior before farrowing and that denial of this behavior causes significant frustration and stress. The claim that crates are necessary to prevent piglet crushing is undermined by alternative systems that achieve comparable results. The welfare case for phasing out farrowing crates is overwhelming and alternatives are commercially viable.