Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Gestation Group Housing Management

Group housing of pregnant sows requires careful management of feeding, space, and social dynamics to prevent aggression and ensure adequate nutrition for all individuals.

Key Facts

EU regulations require group housing for pregnant sows from 4 weeks post-service
Feeding systems including individual electronic sow feeders eliminate competition for food
Space allowances below recommended levels increase aggression and injury
Mixing unfamiliar sows after service causes acute aggression requiring management
Stable groups with familiar individuals have lower chronic aggression than frequently mixed groups

Welfare Considerations

Group housing provides genuine welfare benefits through social contact and movement but introduces management challenges around feeding competition and aggression. Appropriate system design with individual feeding access, adequate space, and stable group composition is essential to realise the welfare benefits of group housing.

What You Can Do

Support group housing welfare standards that specify individual feeding access
Advocate for space allowances in group housing systems that exceed minimum legal requirements
Choose pork certified to higher welfare group housing standards with individual feeding