Farm Animals

Pork Production Gestation Crate Welfare

Gestation crates confine pregnant sows for months in spaces so small they cannot turn around, causing severe physical and psychological suffering.

Key Facts

Gestation crates measure approximately 2.2 by 0.6 meters giving sows no room to turn
Sows may spend up to 16 weeks per pregnancy cycle confined in gestation crates
The EU banned gestation crates in 2013 after a phase-out period
The US pork industry keeps approximately 6 million sows in gestation crates

Welfare Considerations

Gestation crate confinement causes severe and well-documented suffering in pigs. Sows unable to turn around or engage in natural behaviors develop pressure sores, muscle atrophy, and severe psychological distress manifested as stereotypic behaviors like bar biting. Pigs are cognitively complex animals with emotional lives, making this level of confinement particularly harmful.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products certified as gestation crate free or group housed
Support legislation banning gestation crates at state and national levels
Encourage restaurants and retailers to source only crate-free pork
Reduce pork consumption to decrease demand for intensive production systems