Farm Animals

Pig Gestation Group Housing Welfare Research

Research into group housing systems for gestating sows continues to identify optimal design features for reducing aggression and supporting positive welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

EU law bans individual gestation crates for sows except in the first 4 weeks after mating
Group housing systems vary widely in layout, feeding system and space allowance
Electronic sow feeding (ESF) allows individual feeding in groups, reducing competition
Aggression levels in poorly designed group systems can exceed those in stalls
Floor surface, group size and mixing frequency are key design variables affecting welfare

Welfare Considerations

The transition from stalls to group housing has improved welfare potential but not welfare outcomes in all systems. Research-informed design choices are essential for realising welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Support farms adopting best-practice group housing design with ESF systems
Advocate for minimum group housing standards that go beyond EU minimum requirements
Ask retailers whether their pork suppliers use ESF systems with adequate space