Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Farrowing Nest Building Behaviour

Nest building before farrowing is a highly motivated behaviour in sows. Preventing this behaviour causes significant frustration and welfare harm.

Key Facts

Sows are strongly motivated to build nests before farrowing for up to 24 hours
Frustration of nest building motivation causes distress and stereotypy
Provision of straw or other substrates allows partial expression of nesting behaviour
Nesting behaviour is linked to maternal behaviour and piglet survival outcomes
Farrowing crate alternatives often allow more expression of nesting behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Nest building deprivation is a significant but preventable welfare harm. Providing adequate nesting material before farrowing satisfies a strong biological drive and improves both sow welfare and maternal outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support farms that provide nesting material to sows before farrowing
Advocate for pre-farrowing nesting provision as a minimum welfare standard
Learn about sow farrowing behaviour and its welfare implications
Choose welfare-certified pork from farms with verified farrowing welfare protocols