Pig Farrowing System Welfare Advances

Farrowing system design significantly affects welfare for both sows and piglets. Understanding advances in welfare-positive farrowing enables better industry choices.

Key Facts

Traditional farrowing crates restrict sow movement for 3-5 weeks around birthing
The EU banned farrowing crates from 2027 under the revised animal welfare legislation
Free farrowing systems require careful design to prevent crushing of piglets by sows
PigSAFE and other research systems show 10-15% higher piglet mortality without crates
Training sows to use nesting areas and designing crush-prevention zones reduces mortality in free systems

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing crate debate involves genuine welfare trade-offs. Sow confinement prevents crushing but causes profound suffering from inability to turn, nest-build or perform motivated behaviours. Sows in crates show high rates of stereotypic bar-biting, indicating chronic frustration. Free farrowing systems with appropriate nest design, trained sows and spatial complexity can achieve similar piglet survival rates to crates. The EU ban from 2027 requires industry transition to free systems. Supporting this transition with investment in system design and stockperson training is the welfare-maximising approach.

What You Can Do

Support pork certification schemes requiring free farrowing systems
Choose pork from farms committed to crate-free farrowing practices
Engage with CIWF and pig welfare organisations on farrowing system welfare standards
Advocate for government support for farmers transitioning to free farrowing systems
Support research into optimal free farrowing system design and sow training protocols