Farrowing crates confine sows around the time of birth to protect piglets from crushing. The welfare trade-offs are complex, and alternatives are increasingly viable.
The farrowing crate welfare debate involves a genuine conflict between piglet welfare (risk of crushing) and sow welfare (freedom of movement and maternal behavior expression). This makes it one of the more ethically complex welfare challenges in livestock production. Sows in farrowing crates cannot turn around, prepare a nest, interact freely with their piglets, or express any of the maternal behaviors that are strongly motivated at parturition. The psychological suffering from this confinement during a period of high behavioral motivation is significant. However, loose farrowing systems without adequate design do increase piglet crushing risk. The key insight from countries like Sweden that have managed the transition is that system design - not the crate itself - is the critical variable. Well-designed loose farrowing systems can protect piglets while allowing sow freedom.