Gestation crates - metal enclosures so small sows cannot turn around during pregnancy - are among the most widely criticized factory farming practices. Phase-out campaigns have achieved significant corporate and legislative wins.
Gestation crates represent the immobilization of intelligent, social animals for months at a time. Sows show stereotypic behaviors including bar-biting and repetitive head movements that indicate severe psychological distress. Scientific evidence demonstrates that gestation crate confinement impairs muscular and skeletal health, compromises immune function, and causes documented psychological suffering. The welfare case for phase-out is robust - group housing systems with appropriate management allow sows to move freely, engage in social behavior, and express natural rooting instincts. The transition challenge is managing competitive feeding and aggression in group settings, which requires stockmanship skill. Corporate commitments have driven significant industry change even where legislation has been slow.