How sows give birth and raise piglets involves important welfare trade-offs between protecting piglets from crushing and allowing natural maternal behaviors.
Farrowing systems present a genuine welfare dilemma: confinement crates protect piglets from crushing but severely restrict sow behavior during a period when maternal motivation is highest. Sows in confinement are unable to build nests, turn freely, or respond normally to piglets. Research into loose-housing farrowing systems that use protective structures without full confinement offer promising compromises, showing competitive piglet survival rates with significantly better sow welfare.