Gestation crates confine pregnant sows individually for most of their pregnancy. Scientific evidence clearly establishes the welfare harms of this system, informing ongoing debates about reform.
The scientific consensus on gestation crate welfare is clear: confinement preventing a pig from turning around for weeks to months causes physical deterioration and psychological suffering. The behavioral evidence - high rates of bar-biting, repetitive movements, and frustration responses - demonstrates unmet behavioral needs. Group housing systems that allow social interaction, movement, and rooting behavior provide dramatically better welfare at the cost of greater management complexity. Consumer and legislative pressure has driven significant progress in Europe; advocacy continues in markets where confinement remains widespread.