Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Gestating Sow Group Housing Science

Group housing for gestating sows substantially improves welfare compared to individual stalls but requires careful management.

Key Facts

EU law banned gestation stalls except during the first 4 weeks from 2013
Group housing allows natural social behaviour, movement and exploration
Mixing unfamiliar sows causes fighting injuries and stress at regrouping
Electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems manage feeding competition in large groups
Stable group composition throughout gestation dramatically reduces aggression

Welfare Considerations

Group housing represents a major welfare advance for gestating sows. However, management quality determines whether welfare benefits are realised. Stable groups, good space allowances and effective ESF management are the key success factors.

What You Can Do

Support higher-welfare pork from farms with stable gestating sow group housing
Advocate for enforcement of group housing legislation in countries with loopholes
Seek welfare-certified pork that requires evidence of good group housing management