Piglets in intensive systems are born to sows in farrowing crates that prevent normal maternal behaviour. Understanding the welfare implications of farrowing systems informs advocacy for higher welfare alternatives.
Farrowing crate confinement prevents sows from expressing the strong maternal behaviours that are fundamental to pig wellbeing around birth. Nest-building in natural conditions is a highly motivated behaviour consuming many hours in the days before birth. Confinement during this period causes measurable frustration and stress. The inability to respond to piglet distress calls, turn toward suckling piglets, or adjust body position causes psychological discomfort documented through physiological stress indicators. Alternative free farrowing systems with appropriate design and stockmanship achieve equivalent piglet survival while allowing maternal behaviour expression. The existence of viable alternatives makes the continuation of farrowing crate use ethically unjustifiable on welfare grounds.