Gestation crates that confine pregnant sows individually for most of their pregnancy have been banned in the EU and some US states, representing a significant animal welfare policy achievement.
Gestation crate welfare represents one of the most significant welfare policy reforms in farming history. Sows confined for most of their pregnancy cannot walk, turn around, or express normal social behaviour. The frustration this causes is measurable through stereotypic bar-biting, repetitive rooting movements on concrete, and elevated stress hormones. The transition to group housing is not without challenges - social hierarchies require management, feeding systems must prevent resource competition, and some aggression occurs during group formation. However, welfare science is clear: group-housed sows have dramatically better welfare outcomes. Industry progress since EU reform has been variable, with some countries achieving near-complete phase-out while others lag.