Pig Farrowing System Free Farrowing Welfare

Free farrowing systems allow sows to express natural behavior around birth while maintaining piglet survival comparable to farrowing crates.

Key Facts

Free farrowing systems including the PigSAFE and freedom farrowing pen allow sow movement around birth
Farrowing crates restrict sow movement to prevent piglet crushing but deny natural behavior
Research shows piglet mortality in well-designed free farrowing systems is comparable to crates
Free farrowing sows show significantly more nesting behavior and lower stress hormone levels
Several European countries have banned or are phasing out farrowing crates
Farmer training and pen design are critical factors in free farrowing welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate confines sows for 3-5 weeks during one of the most behaviorally demanding periods of their lives - unable to nest, turn around, or interact normally with their piglets. Free farrowing systems restore these fundamental behavioral freedoms. Evidence increasingly supports that good free farrowing design achieves similar piglet survival with substantially better sow welfare. The transition requires investment in design and training rather than continued acceptance of crate confinement.

What You Can Do

Support pork certification schemes requiring free farrowing or clear farrowing crate phase-out timelines
Choose pork from producers using free farrowing where available
Advocate for farrowing crate bans in countries that still permit them without restriction
Support research into free farrowing pen design optimization for piglet survival
Donate to organizations providing transition support for farmers moving to free farrowing
Share evidence on free farrowing welfare and production outcomes with pig producers