The transition away from farrowing crates requires management systems that protect piglet welfare while allowing sows to express maternal behaviors. Research-based designs are achieving both goals simultaneously.
The farrowing system debate encapsulates the complexity of multi-animal welfare decisions. Farrowing crates protect piglets at the cost of severe restriction of the sow's freedom and behavioral expression. Loose farrowing systems protect sow welfare but require careful design and management to prevent increased piglet mortality. The research challenge has been designing systems where both sow and piglet welfare can be optimized simultaneously. Systems incorporating nest-building opportunity, piglet escape areas, and appropriate pen dimensions show that crate elimination is achievable without unacceptable piglet losses. The implementation requirement is higher stockmanship quality - farmers who observe, understand, and respond to sow behavior around farrowing. This is a skill that can be trained and that represents an overall improvement in farm animal care.