Free farrowing systems allow sows to move freely before, during and after birth - a fundamental welfare improvement over conventional farrowing crates that immobilise sows for 4-5 weeks per cycle.
The farrowing crate is one of the most welfare-restricting devices in modern agriculture. Sows have a powerful, hormonally-driven nesting drive that peaks in the 12-24 hours before farrowing - denial of nesting behaviour causes measurable distress, including repeated attempts to root and carry nesting material despite the physical impossibility in a crate. Free farrowing systems address this at the design level. Piglet crushing risk - the primary justification for crates - can be managed through system design (rails, sloped sides, nest areas) and stockperson management, achieving survival rates that match or approach crate systems.