Farm Animals

Pig Gestation Housing Welfare Research

Research into pig gestation housing compares individual stalls, small groups, and large groups, with welfare implications differing by management quality and sow experience.

Key Facts

The EU banned individual sow stalls for most of gestation in 2013
Group housing welfare outcomes depend heavily on group size, space allowance, and management
Electronic sow feeding (ESF) allows individual feeding in large groups reducing competition
Sows with prior positive group experience adapt more readily to group housing
Lameness rates are higher in large groups on hard flooring than in smaller groups with bedding

Welfare Considerations

Group gestation housing is generally better for sow welfare than individual stalls when managed appropriately, but poorly managed group housing can be worse than well-managed stalls. Management quality and system design are as important as housing type.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes that assess management quality alongside housing type
Advocate for space allowances that reflect evidence rather than minimum legal requirements
Choose pork from certified group gestation systems with documented management standards
Learn about sow housing research to be a more informed welfare advocate