Farrowing crates confine sows during and after birth to protect piglets from being crushed, but cause significant welfare problems through extreme restriction of movement.
Farrowing crates present one of the most difficult welfare dilemmas in pig farming. They cause clear welfare harm to sows through extreme restriction: sows cannot turn around, express normal maternal behaviors, or move to regulate their comfort over a period of weeks. They develop physical problems from the constraint and show behavioral frustration. However, loose farrowing systems without appropriate design and management result in higher piglet crushing deaths - a real welfare concern for the piglets. The resolution lies not in choosing between sow welfare and piglet welfare but in developing well-designed loose farrowing systems with appropriate bedding, shelter areas, and good stockmanship that protect piglets while allowing sow movement. These systems are being trialed successfully and represent the path forward.