Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Gestation Crate Phase-Out Progress and Alternatives

Gestation crates confine pregnant sows for most of their pregnancy and are being phased out globally amid welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Gestation crates (stalls) confine sows in spaces so small they cannot turn around for up to 16 weeks
Over 10 US states have banned gestation crates; Canada and the EU have phase-out timelines
Group housing for pregnant sows requires careful management to prevent aggression and competition
Electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems allow individual feeding in group housing settings
Phase-out timelines vary from complete bans to partial commitments that leave loopholes

Welfare Considerations

Gestation crates prevent sows from expressing nearly all natural behaviours - walking, turning around, socialising and foraging are all impossible. Chronic physical restriction causes muscle atrophy, lameness, joint problems and psychological distress. Well-managed group housing meets basic welfare needs while remaining economically viable.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products from producers using group housing for gestating sows
Ask retailers about gestation crate phase-out timelines in their pork supply chains
Support campaigns for complete legislative bans on gestation crates
Reduce pork consumption or shift to higher-welfare alternatives