Farm Animals

Pig Farrowing Crate Reform Evidence

The farrowing crate debate centres on balancing piglet crushing prevention against sow welfare, with alternatives showing promise in European trials.

Key Facts

Standard farrowing crates prevent sow movement but restrict sow behaviour severely
Sows in crates show high rates of oral stereotypy and frustration behaviour
Anti-crush bars and pen design innovations reduce crushing in free-farrowing systems
Trial evidence shows comparable piglet mortality in well-managed free systems
Sweden, Switzerland and Norway have banned farrowing crates with managed alternatives

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing crate confinement causes significant suffering in sows through inability to perform nesting, postural change and social behaviour. The crushing risk in free systems is real but manageable with appropriate pen design and supervision. Progressive reform toward free-farrowing is both welfare-evidenced and achievable.

What You Can Do

Support research and trials of free-farrowing pen alternatives
Advocate for farrowing system reform timelines in national welfare legislation
Choose pork from producers committed to free-farrowing transitions